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ANEW    SYSTEM 

HUSBANDRY, 

From   many  Years   Experience, 

WITH  TABLES  SHEWING  THE 

Expence   and   Profit   of    each    Crop; 

That  a  Farm  of  a  I50^cres  will  clear  402!,  4s,  fterj,  a  Yeac 
How  to  ftock  Farms   to  the  bei    Advantage,     How   the 

C^CPS  are  to  follow  each  other  by  Way  of  Rotation, 

Of  Trench-Ploughing,    fliewiog  how  to  raif;  good    Crops 

WITHOUT       MANURE 

0.1    Rearing,   Breeding,  and  a   new  difcovered 

CHEAP     FOOD     FOR     CATTLE, 

Of  Cabbage  and   Turnip    Hufbandry 
Of  the  Naked  Wheat,  with  many  othei-  lsw  difcovered 

Grains  and  Graffes  fuitable  for  the  Land 
and  Climate  of  America. 

Alfo  (hewing  the  great  profit  of  Rabbit  Warrens,   and 
how  to  Uock   tl\8ro, 

A  Farmer's  and  Kitchen   Garden  Calendar 
Of  all  Sorts  of  Manures.  Marls^  Claysj  Sands,  &c, 
ANEW  INDENTED  THRASHING  FLOOlt 

Alfo  many  chofen  RECEIPTS  in   PhyJJc  and  Surgtry^ 

For   the  Human  Species, 

and  others 

For  the  Cure  'of  all  forts  of  Cattle. 

To  which  are  annexed  a  few  Hints  humbly   offered  for  the 
perufal  of  the  Legiflatorj  of  America,  fliewing 

How  to  put^ftop  to  runaway  Servants 
"  '"By     C^     V^A     R    L    O,    Efq, 

VOLUME     lU 


PHIL  A  D  EL  PHIA:  Printed  for  the  Author.     1785, 
[Prus  3  dsllars  in  Icardi  or  3  and  a  haf  bo.nd. 


CONTENTS. 

V^  HAP.    I     The  management  of  white 
Max.  Page  ■^ 

2  The  pulling,    watering  and  ma- 
nagement of  flax  feed,   kc,  12 

3  Diredions  for  the   management 
of  black  or  bunch  rate  flax,  bzc.  i  ^ 

4  DirecfHons  how   to  manage  dew 
rate  flax,  he,  10 

5  Directions  for  breaking  &c  fwing- 
ling  flax  without  fire.  2  2 

6  Obfervations  on  flax-feed  &:c.   26 

7  Diredions   for    making    French 
fieves,  and  their  ufe.  ^  r 

8  On  winter  flax.  ^y 

9  On  flax  among  potatoes.  41 

10  The  management  of  white  flax, 
in  pulling,  watering,  grafling,  &cc.       4; 

1 1  An  Addrefs  to  the  different  Le- 
^iflatures  of  America,  &cc.  "  48 

1 2  A  few  hints  humbly  offered  for 
the  perufal  of  the  Legiflatures  of  America, 
on  a  general  act  of  Congrefs  to  prevent 
run-away  fervants,  rr 

1,3  A  few  hints  humbly  offered  for 
the  perufal  of  the  Legiflature  of  America, 
relating  to  a  dog  ad,  &:c.  5^^ 

14  Upon  limiting  the  fizc  of 
farms.  -  5  j 

J>50'\  Chap. 

HV\  27471' 


CONTENTS 

^Pagc 

Chap.  15    On  the  great  advantage  tliat  might 

accrue  from  rabbit  warrens,  ix:c.  77 

16  How  to  fct  potatoes  in  drills  with 
the  plough.  Xz 

1 7  Remarks  on  fetting  potatoes  with 
the  plough.  S6 

18  Remarks  and  lUuflrations  on  the 
foregoing  table  on  potatoes,  5cc.  90 

1 9  On  ferting  potatoes  as  in  Ireland 
on  ridges  by  trenching.  92 

20  On  different  ibrts  potatoes        97 
21.    The  management   and  ufe   of" 

vetches.  ici 

22  Explanation  and  nature  of  dif- 
ferent fbrts  of  puKc,    &CC,  106 

23  On  the  ditierent  management  of 
clover,  6cc.  iio 

24.  On  cattle  hoved  by  clover,  and 
its  cure.  119 

25  Remarks  on  clover.  126 

26  On  lucerne,  its  perfection  and 
management :  alfa  the  method  of  drilling 
with  the  common  plough,   inc.  12S 

27  The  moft  fuitablc  lands  r.nd  cli- 
mate for  lucerne,  6cc.  13^ 

2S  How  to  manage  faintfoin,  which 
fuits  America.  '   139 

29  On  rye  grafs,  its  perfediion  and 
maniigement.  14^ 

Chap 


CONTENTS 

Chap.  30  The  perfe^lion  and  management 

of  Burnet.  Page  150 

31  On  manuring  land.  154 

3  2  On  manures  in  general  157 

;^^  On  the  compound  manure.   166 

34   On  liquid  manure.  169 

3  5  On  clay  and  fand :  (hewing  how, 

when  mixed  together,    they    operate    to 

make  ^ood  foil,  bcc.  173 

j6  On  clay,  fand  and  marl         18 1 

3  7  On  the  weakell  and  woril  of  all 
fands.   Sec.  1S5 

38  On  different  forts  of  grafs  and 
puUe,  Sec.  193 

^g  The  management,  &cc.  of  the 
white  and  blue  boiling  pea.  199 

40  The  management  and  perfedion 
of  the  grey  field  pea  202 

41  Directions  for  the  plowing,  fow- 
ing  and  management  of  buck-wheat, 
thro'  all  its  variations.  205 

4  2  Directions  how  to  raife  rape  and 
cole-feed.   Sec.  208 

43  Dire(^lions  for  making  a  new  m- 
vented  thrafhing  floor.  221 

44  The  management  of  tobacco   224 

45  The  management  of  ind ian 
corn.  228 

46  General  direcftions  for  ploughing 
fowing,  harrowing  and  mowing,  or  har- 
I'cfting  barley.  23 1 

Chap. 


CONTENTS 

Chap.    47 On  mowing  and  harvefling  Tpiing 
corn.  P^ge  234 

48  Five  forts  of  barley  239 

49  Different  forts  of  Jand    for  bar- 
ley. 244 

50  The   management  of  rye,  both 
for  winter-feeding  and  a  feed  corp      246 

51  Remarks     and    illiiflrations    on 
rye  249 

52  Diredions    for  ploughing,   fow- 
ing  and  harvefling  oats  253 

^3  Explanation  of  fix  different  forts 

of  oats.  256 

54  The  white  vetch.  262 

^^5  The  Siberian  or  naked  wheat  263 

56  A  dialouge  between  a  Farmer 
and  the  Author  269 

57  A  few  remarks  made  in  the 
Weft  of  England.  274 

^8   On  thin  fowing,   bcc.  2^1 

The  gardeners  calender,  for  work  to  be 
done  round  the  year  in  the  kitchen- 
garden  284 

59  Preface  to  the  appendix       310 

60  Nature  of  the  foil,  and  price  of 
the  land,  with  many  other  interefting 
ilibjeas,  neccflary  for  a  farmer  to  know 
through  Ireland.  3  13 

Chap, 


CONTENTS 

Chap,  6 1  Trenching  land  near  Glafgow 
with  fpades  P^g^  3 42 

62  The  price  of  labour  and  viduals 
in  the  feveral  counties  of  Ireland,  in  or- 
der to  give  an  idea  of  the  different  flate  of 
the  two  kingdoms  345 

6;^  Some  approved  receipts  in  phy- 
fic  and  furgery,  by  the  moft  able  men  of 
the  faculty  in  England.  352 


NEW     SYSTEM 

O    F 

HUSBANDRY. 


CHAP.     I. 

'The  management  of  White  Flax, 

AMONG  the  flax  growers  the  word 
white  flax  fignifies  when  the  flax  is 
pulled  before  the  feed  is  quite  ripe,  by  which 
the  oil  is  flopped  of  circulation,  and  remains 
in  the  fkin  inilead  of  reaching  to  the  feed  to 
ripen  it. 

The  intent  of  watering  or  rating,  flax,  is  to 
rot  the  ftalks,  in  order  to  make  it  part  free- 
ly from  the  Ikin,  when  drelTed :  as  alfo  to 
foften,  purge,  andclcanfe,  or  difcharge  any 
unkind  harlh  matter  from  it ;  but  the  oil  be- 
i^g  fo  ftagnated,  preferves  the  flax  from  rot- 
'   Vol.11.  B  ting 

ILCSUiUiMUgt 


5  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

ting  in  any  reafonablc  time,  not  letting  the 
water  have  the  power  over  it,  as  it  has  over 
a  poor  fubftance:  were  it  poffible  to  extract 
all  the  oily  fubflance  frDm  the  flax,  it  would 
be  left  as  poor  as  the  ftalk  whereon  it  grows, 
confequently  would  rot  in  the  fame  time, 
and  be  rendered  as  ufelefs. 

This  confirms  my  opinion,  that  the  lefs 
quantity  of  water  the  flax  is  rated  in,  the 
better,  filkicr,  and  ftronger  it  is  made  by  the 
oily  fubllance  whicl!  is  permitted  to  remain 
therein ;  for  the  beft  particles  gather  and 
cling  to  the  ftrongefl  body,  (being  the  flax) 
which  makes  it  weigh  heavy,  adds  to  the 
llrength,  and  makes  it  of  a  kind,  foft,  filky 
nature. 

I  am  confident,  were  a  parcel  of  flax  kcd 
thrown  into  one  of  thefe  pits,  for  fome  con- 
fiderable  time  before  the  flax  was  put  in,  fo 
that  it  might  have  time  to  incorporate  with 
the  water,  it  would  have  a  happy  €fFe(^,  and 
confiderably  add  to  the  goodncfi  of  the  flax. 
I  do  not  fay  that  it  would  be  worth  v»'hile  to 
do  this,  further  than  byway  of  experiment 
and  proof. 

I  have  thrown  chaff",  that  has  had  fome 
light  feed  amongft  ic  into  a  pit,  and  found 
it  to  be  of  fervice. 

An  old  pit  that  has  had  flax  watered 
in  it  feveral  years,  is  far  better  than  a  new 

made 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  7 

m^ide  pit;  and  one  that  has  had  white  flax 
with  the  feed  on,  watered  in  it,  is  better  than 
one  that  has  been  uled  for  bunch  rate,  of 
flax  that  has  had  the  feed  taken  off,  only 
that  it  turns  it  a  dark  blue  colour,  which  by 
the  bye  is  better  than  a  bad  white.  All  this 
I  have  feen  experienced  by  others,  as  well 
as  myfelf. 

Now  feeing  it  is  fo  abfolutely  necefTary  for 
the  good  of  the  flax  to  prelerve  this  oily  kind 
nature  in  it,  in  order  to  keep  it  from  rotting 
and  make  it  kind,  foft  and  filky,  what  a  piece 
of  abfurdity  it  is  to  drive  it  out  by  drying  it 
over  the  fire,  as  is  univerfally  pradiifed  in 
Ireland ;  and  indeed  by  fome  unfkiiful  farm- 
ers in  England  too,  where  they  are  flrangers 
to  the  true  method. 

In  fhort,  it  is  rendered  harfh  and  brittle, 
fo  that  it  lofes  confiderably  in  its  real  weight 
and  goodnefs,  and  thereby  lofes  in  its  value. 

In  order  to  be  convinced  of  this,  weigh  as 
many  flieaves  as  will  (when  broken  and 
fwingled)  make  two  flone;  one  half  of  which 
dry  over  the  fire,  the  other  half  drefs  with- 
out, and  it  will  be  found  that  when  both 
are  drefl'ed,  the  difference  in  weight  will  be 
from  a  pound  and  a  half  to  two  pounds ; 
a  great  lofs  in  fo  fmall  a  quantity  of  flax. 

The  experienced  flax-farmers  are  fo  fenfi* 
ble  of  the  real  evils  tiiat  attend  drying  it, 

that 


S  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

tSat  they  will  not  fuffer  theirs  even  to  be 
dried  in  the  fun.  It  is  true,  when  it  is 
taken  up  off  the  grafs,  it  is  dry,  though  in- 
deed fome  chufe  to  take  it  up  in  an  evening, 
when  the  dew  is  falling. 

No  one  that  is  not  neceffitated  will  offer 
to  drefs  any  flax,  till  it  gets  a  fweat  in  the 
mow  or  (lack,  which  adds  to  its  foft  filky 
na^"ure,  as  well  as  wei^^ht;  and  after  this 
f^^'cat,  it  IS  never  fuffcrcd  to  be  (as  above) 
dried  in  any  cale. 

Bnt  then  we  are  to  confider  that  the  Eng- 
lilli  flax  farmers  are  true  judges  in  rating 
their  flax  ;  which  if  not  done  properly,  it  is 
hard  to  be  drelTed  well,  even  with  fire,  and 
much  more  without. 

There  are  alfo  other  kinds  of  tools  to 
break  and  fwingle  it  with  than  any  in  Ire- 
land. The  quantities  that  are  raifed  in 
fome  parts  of  England  and  Holland,  could 
never  be  manufactured  in  fuch  a  paltry  man- 
ner. Were  lire  of  no  real  damage  to  it,  it 
would  add  fo  much  trouble  and  expence  of 
drying,  Sec.  to  a  farmer's  other  bufinefs, 
that  it  could  never  be  duly  attended  to. 

One  acre  managed  in  the  Irilh  manner, 
would  give  as  much  trouble  as  an  hundred 
would  in  the  right  method  :  for  when  it  is 
once  in  the  barn,  it  is  fcarce  of  fo  much 
trouble  as  corn,  having  no  more  to  do  tlian 

te 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  9 

%e  agree  with  men  to  work  it ;  and  this  is 
moftlya  let  price,  except  it  milTes  of  a  good 
rate  (which  may  fometimes,  though  rarely 
happen,)  or  if  the  flax  be  very  Ihort ;  in 
this  cafe  there  is  a  conlideration  of  a  higher 
price. 

The  common  rate  for  drefling  white  flax 
is  fourteen  pence  a  ftone,  for  breaking  and 
iwingling;  and  fixteen  pence  for  feed  or 
bunch  rate. 

High  or  low  wages  vary  according  to  the 
clevernefs  of  the  workman,  from  the  differ- 
ence of  a  fliilling  to  three  in  a  day;  for  there 
are  leveral  degrees  of  workmen ;  a  good 
workman  is  as  well  known  through  the  flax 
countries  of  England  and  Holland,  asajuf- 
tice  of  the  peace,  or  fheriff'in  an  Irifli  coun- 

It  is  neceflary  that  a  farmer  look  over  his 
fwinglers  fometimes,  to  fee  that  they  make 
Ro  wafte;  as  alfo  that  they  drefs  it  clean, 
for  on  this  his  fuccefs  and  fale  in  the  market 
depends. 

Some  workmen  will  make  the  fame  flax 
fell  higher  than  others  by  fix  pence  or  eight 
pence  a  ftone,  and  all  the  flax  buyers  know 
the  good  workmen  by  the  lapping  or  making 
up  of  the  flax. 

A  good  workman  is  feldom  made  if  he 
does  not  learn  when  young.     It  is  far  eafier 

to 


JO  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

to  make  a  good  hackler  than  a  good  fwing- 
ler,  though  the  former  is  a  trade  of  appren- 
ticeship, and  the  latter  is  not. 

The  fwinglcr  generally  has  a  pair  of 
fcale$  by  him,  and  weighs  tlie  flax  as  he 
drefles  it,  then  takes  it  into  his  mailer  who 
fcldom  weighs  it,  till  he  gets  two  or  three 
packs  together,  to  take  to  the  market. 

A  great  deal  depends  on  giving  flax  a 
|;ood  even  colour  for  fetching  a  good  price 
in  the  market.  Let  the  colour  be  what  it 
will  it  ought  to  be  of  one  fort  ;  not  to  be 
flriped  or  fpotted  with  black  and  white,  or 
green  and  white,  grey  and  blue,  or  green 
and  yellow,  he. 

The  misfortune  of  thefe  mixed  colours  is 
got  before  it  goes  into  the  water,  particu- 
larly if  it  be  leed  flax  of  any  kind ;  for  the 
prevention  of  which,  I  ordered  feed  flax, 
in  imitation  of  white,  to  be  flacked  with 
the  feed  end  outwards ;  this  prevents  the 
outfides  of  the  fheaves  from  being  weather- 
beaten,  which  will  turn  them  black  or  grey, 
fo  that  it  will  always  be  of  a  quite  different 
colour,  from  the  infide  of  the  fheaf,  but 
the  feed  being  outwards,  can  take  no  da- 
mage, but  will  ripen  or  dry  much  the  fafler 
for  it. 

If  the  bunch-rate  flax  get  a  mixed  colour 
it  is  for  want  of  fpreading  even  and  clear 

of 


OF    HUSBANDRY,         it 

of  lumps  after  the  pullers.  The  fame  evil 
the  due-rate  is  fubjed  to,  if  not  properly 
fpread ;  but  it  may  happen  to  white  flax  two 
or  three  ways. 

Firft  when  it  is  pulled,  if  it  ftand  too  long 
to  dry  before  it  is  put  into  the  pit. 

Secondly,  if  it  be  not  well  and  clofc  x:o- 
vered  in  the  pit  with  fods,  and  duly  trod. 

Thirdly,  if  it  be  not  Ipread  even  and 
clear  of  lumps  in  the  time  of  grafling. 

All  thefe  cautions  a  farmer  ought  to  be 
armed  with,  if  he  means  to  bring  this  valu- 
able branch  to  its  full  perfe(ftion. 


CHA.P, 


le  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

CHAP.    n. 

l^he  Pullingy    Watering  and    Management 
of  Seed  Flax,  in  Imitation  of  the  White. 


TH  E  feed  flax  mufl  ftand  about  three 
weeks  longer  than  the  white.  It  will 
(hew  itfelf  to  be  ripe  by  the  leaves  fading  and 
falling  off,  and  the  boles  turning  brown; 
but  beware  of  letting  it  ftand  till  the  feed  in 
the  bole  turns  brown ;  for  if  you  do,  the  feed 
will  be  nothing  better,  and  the  flax  a  great 
deal  worfe.  It  is  a  great  miftake  to  let  the 
feed  flax  be  over  ripe. 

Obferve  the  fame  directions  in  pulling  the 
feed  flax  as  for  white,  only  make  the  flieaves 
a  little  larger;  fet  them  up  in  a  propping 
manner,  three  leaning  to  each  other.  In 
three  or  four  days  after  if  the  weather  per- 
mits, make  them  into  fmall  field  flacks,  no 
larger  than  you  can  reach  without  getting 
upon  them. 

Make  them  like  corn  flacks,  only  with 
this  difference,  that  the  feed  ends  mufl:  be 
outwards,  in  order  to  dry  the  fooner,  and 
keep  the  fl.alks  from  being  weather  beaten. 

•Thus 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         13 

Thus  let  them  fland  about  a  week,  and 
then  make  them  over  again,  by  which 
means  the  top  of  the  ftack  will  become  the 
bottom.  Lay  a  httle  weeds,  or  the  under 
growth  of  flax  on  the  top  of  the  ftack,  in 
oirder  to  make  it  caft  the  rain,  and  keep  the 
upper  fheaves  from  the  fun  and  weather. 

A  few  fheaves  turned  brown  or  grey, 
would  fpoil  a  great  parcel  in  the  beauty  of 
its  colour,  for  let  the  colour  be  of  what  fort 
it  will  it  ought  to  be  even,  or  elfe  it  will  not 
bleach  even  when  in  cloth,  which  is  impoffi- 
ble  to  accompli fh  without  great  care  before 
it  goes  into  the  water. 

Let  the  ftack  ftand,  after  it  is  turned,  a- 
bout  ten  days;  after  which  take  it  into  the 
barn,  and  ripple  the  feed  off  with  rippling 
combs. 

Being  thus  rippled,  t}^c  it  up  in  fmall 
Iheaves,  and  v/ater  it  in  the  fame  manner  as 
dire(ffed  for  white  flax ;  alfo  obferve  the 
fame  directions  to  know  when  it  is  rightly 
rated  and  grafted  ;  in  fhort,  rate  it  in  every 
cafe  as  direc^led  for  white  flax. 

As  to  the  feed,  it  m.ay  lie  in  the  chaft"  or 
boles  all  v^inter,  till  it  is  wanted  in  fpring; 
at  which  time  riddle  it  firft  through  a  wide 
riddle,  in  order  to  take  out  all  the  long  ftraws, 
pulfe,  &cc. 

Vol.  11.  C  This 


14  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

This  fione,  take  it  to  the  niill  r.nd  fhcll  it 
as  you  woulJ  oats.  This  is  a  ready  way  of 
taking  tlic  feed  out  wirhout  wafle;  and  on 
the  llicliing  it  may  be  winnowed  at  the  mill 
wit}i(;ut  the  trouble  of  taking  the  dirt  back. 

1  ihall  fparc  m)  feif  the  trouble  of  giving 
any  directions  about  winnowing,  as  moll 
people  arc  pcrfed  in  that  art;  as  it  is  win- 
nowed in  the  fame  manner  as  corn,  faving 
only  as  to  the  fieves,  which  muil  be  fuited 
to  the  fize  of  the  feed. 

And  now,  gentle  reader,  pler.fe  to  ac- 
company me  once  more  to  tl.c  held  of  pul- 
hng,  and  I  will  Ihew  you  another,  and  a 
more  general  way  ofraifmg  feed-flax,  which 
is  in  imitation  of  black  or  bio  Dutch:  but 
in  truth  I  have  fecn  and  reared  belter  and 
higher  priced  by  the  following  management 
than  ever  I  faw  come  from  Holland. 

Obferve  that  the  feed  flax  of  all  forts  muft 
Hand  till  it  comes  to  the  fame  degree  of.ipe- 
nefs  before  it  is  pulled. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY, 


CHAP.     III. 

DireSiioJis  for  the  Management  of  Black  or 
Bunch-Rate  Flax,  in  Lnhaiion  of  Bh  or 
Black  Dutch,  and  to  five  the  Seed  in 
perfe5fion. 


HEN  you  begin  to  pull  the  buncli- 
rate  flax,  arrange  your  pullers  all 
in  a  row,  at  one  tide  of  the  iielcl;  lee  every 
puller  take  about  two  yards  broad,  and  lead 
on  at  about  the  fame  dillance  before  one  an- 
other. 

Spread  the  flax  after  them  thin  and  even, 
with  the  tops  ail  one  way,  as  white  flax  is 
fpread  on  the  grafs  when  it  cornes  out  of 
the  pit.  Take  care  that  the  firH  puller  lavs 
his  row  flraight,  that  it  may  be  a  ^uidc  to 
all  the  relt ;  as  one  crooked  row  will  diior- 
derthe  whole  field,  and  give  double  trouble 
both  in  turning  and  gathering  it  up. 

Vvhea 


i6  A     NEW    SYSTEM 

When  pulled  and  thus  fpread,  let  it  lie 
till  it  gets  a  grey  colour,  which  will  be  in 
three  or  four  days,  particularly  if  there  be 
heavy  dews  or  rainy  weather;  but  if  not  it 
will  take  a  longer  ti.ne. 

Turn  it  with  turning  rods,  as  directed  for 
white  flax,  that  both  fides  may  get  a  grey 
colour  alike.  By  this  means  the  feed  will 
be  pretty  ralh,  therefore  handle  it  gently, 
that  the  boles  do  not  lliake  off  in  gathering 
and  binding;  in  which  there  will  be  the  lels 
danger,  if  you  make  \zvgc  iheaves  as  there 
will  be  lefs  outfides. 

Hereupon  take  it  home  and  beat  out  the 
feed  with  beaters  for  that  purpofe,  made  of 
a  piece  of  wood  twelve  inches  long,  two 
thick  and  fix  broad,  and  in  this  fix  a  handful 
floping-wife. 

When  you  begin  to  beat  out  the  feed, 
fpread  two  rows  of  flax  on  the  barn  floor 
with  the  feed-ends  to  meet.  Then  beat 
out  the  feed  with  your  beaters  ;  but  obfei^ve 
that  you  let  the  beater  fall  level  or  true  on 
the  flax,  or  elfe  it  will  break  the  handle  : — 
there  is  fome  art  required  in  giving  a  good 
l\roke  with  the  beater. 

Tie  the  iheaves  up  with  two  bands,  one 
at  each  end,  and  lay  one  half  of  the  fheaf 
v/ith  the  tops  to  the  roots  of  the  other  half. 
Make  the  Iheaves  as  large  as  a  middle  fized 
wheat  fheaf.  Being 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         17 

Being  thus  prepared,  take  it  to  the  water; 
but  this  muft  not  be  funk  with  fods,  or  any 
other  weight,  but  muft  fwim  upon  the  lur- 
face  of  the  water,  lying  in  rows,  each  {heaf 
clofe  to  another.  It  is  beft  to  put  it  in  pits 
that  have  been  watered  in,  as  it  will  have  a 
finer  blue  colour. 

It  muft  be  turned  every  fecond  day; 
which  is  ealily  done  with  a  long  fork,  hav- 
ing about  two  inches  of  the  points  of  the 
grains  bent,  in  the  likenefs  and  nature  of  a 
muck-drag. 

For  its  being  well  watered,  obferve  the 
directions  as  for  white  flax  ;  with  this  addi- 
tion only,  that  it  will  fink  under  the  furface 
of  the  water  when  it  is  about  enough  rated, 
but  not  to  the  bottom  of  the  pit.  If  it 
fhould  be  left  till  it  fmks  to  the  bottom, 
there  is  great  danger  of  its  being  over  done, 
or  in  plain  terms  rotten. 

Thefe  are  known  fac^s  amongft  the  flax- 
farmers  ;  but  for  what  reafon  nature  thus 
varies  her  operations,  few  trouble  their 
heads  to  philolophize  about  the  matter. 

Were  a  curious  perion,  however,  to  at- 
tend the  flax  throughout  the  proceis  of  its 
rating,  he  might  infer  a  great  deal  from  its 
rifing  and  falling  in  the  pit ,  its  lofing  and  re- 
gaining its  fpirits,  kc. 

*  Being 


rS  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

Being  thus  duly  watered,  take  it  out  and 
let  it  lie  on  the  pit  iide  all  night  to  drip  ; 
then  take  it  to  the  ground  intended  to  d-.-y 
it  on ;  but  it  mull  not  be  fprcad  Hat  but  kt 
up  almoft  like  a  fugar-loaf,  the  Iheaves  be- 
ing in  two  parts,  that  is  the  heads  each  way; 
it  will  eaiily  part  in  the  middle,  one-halt* 
of  which  is  enough  tor  a  ricklc  ;  take  it  by 
the  top  and  fpread  it  round  you,  giving  the 
root. end  a  good  fplay,  lo  that  the  wind  will 
not  calily  throw  it  down  ;  prefs  tlie  tops 
clofe  together,  fo  that  as  I  have  obfervcd  it 
may  rcfemble  a  fugar-loaf,  ftanding  fo  thin 
and  open,  that  it  will  foon  dry  ;  but  howe- 
ver, it  will  be  the  better  to  get  a  little  rain 
before  it  is  bound  up  in  order  to  walh  the 
dirt  and  (limy  fubflance  off. 

The  boles  of  this  flax  will  be  well  broke 
by  the  beater  as  above  diredcd,  fo  that  there 
will  be  no  more  to  do  than  to  winnow  them 
and  there  is  no  doubt  of  the  feed  being  very 
good. 

I  have  known  fuch  bunch-rate  flax  to  fell 
in  the  rough  in  Snaith-market,  Yorklhirc, 
at  fixty-lour  Ihillings  the  hundred  v/eight, 
and  the  feed  from  it,  as  good  as  any  foreign 
if  ed  whatever. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBAND  P.  Y.  i^ 


C  H  A  ?.     IV. 

DireBions  how  to  Manage  Dew  Rate  Flax, 
with  or  without  the  Seed  on. 


O  M  E  fet  up  their  dew-rate  flax  in 
ftooks  after  pulling  to  dry  like  corn, 
letting  it  Hand  perhaps  three  weeks  or  a 
month. 

This  is  a  bad  way  ;  for  {landing  in  the 
flook  fo  long  in  order  to  dry  the  feed,  ten- 
der the  cutfide^  of  the  flieaves  to  luch  a  de- 
gree, that  they  will  not  take  fo  much  rating 
as  the  infide,  and  wil'  therefore  be  undoubt- 
edly rotten  before  the  iniide  is  enough 
rated. 

The  bed  way  is  to  fpread  il  after  the  pull- 
-crs,  as  direded  for  bunch-rate  flax  in  the 
following  manner,  viz. 

Arrange  your  pullers  at  one  fide  of  the 
field,  and  let  them  fpread  the  flax  thin  and 
even  after  them  with  the  tops  all  one  way; 
if  there  be  rain,  the  upper  part  will  be  well 

rated 


to  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

rated  in  five  or  fix  days ;  but  in  this  cafe  cir- 
cumftances  alter  greatly,  according  to  the 
various  forts  of  weather  that  may  happen  j 
therefore  a  farmer  muil  be  circumfpe(^l:, 
and  rub  a  few  ftalks  at  the  uper  part  of  the 
row  between  his  tinger  and  thumb,  and  if 
they  break  and  part  freely  from  the  fl<.in  or 
bait,  he  may  then  turn  it  with  turning  rods 
and  let  it  lie  till  he  finds  both  fides  to  be 
rated  and  coloured  alike. 

But  if  the  flax  be  not  fpread  upon  the 
grafs  very  even  and  thin,  but  lie  thick  and 
in  lumps,  the  inlide  will  be  green  or  yellow, 
jnd  not  in  any  degree  equally  rated  to  the 
outfide,  therefore  it  will  be  irrecoverably 
fpoiled. 

If  the  flax  be  not  enough  rated  bv  the  a- 
bove  method,  or  that  you  dare  not  truil  it 
on  the  grafs,  fo  to  be,  (for  fear  of  fliedding 
the  feed)  then  about  the  tiril  of  March, 
when  the  feed  is  off,  fpread  it  on  the  grafs 
again  thin  and  even,  and  manage  it  the  fame 
way  in  graffing  as  white  Bax  ;  alfo  obferv* 
tMe  fame  tokens  for  its  being  well  gralTed. 

I  have  had  flax  well  dew  rated,  with  thr 
feed  on,  by  tpreading  it  after  the  pullers  as 
above,  without  any  more  trouble  ;  fo  that 
it  breaked  and  fwingled,  and  in  fhort  anfwer- 
cd  well  every  way  ;  but  I  never  knew  it  done 
by  any  one  but  myfelf ;  and  indeed,  I  never 

ordered 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         21 

ordered  any  thus  but  one  year^  in  which,  I 
had  twenty-fevcn  acres  rated  in  tJie  above 
manner;  however,  it  is  to  be  noted^  that 
it  was  coarfe  bunned  fiax,  which  made  it 
the  eafieil:  managed  thus.  For  it  is  neceila- 
ry  it  Ihould  be  ib  :  and  it  requires  a  good 
look  out,  lellit  Ihedthe  Teedby  lying  too  long 
on  the  grafs,  or  getting  too  much  llavery 
under  the  weather. 

When  it  is  enough  rated,  take  it  home 
for  working.  It  mull  he  breaked  and  fwing- 
led  as  other  fiax. 

The  feed  of  this  dew-rate  fiax  is  undoubt- 
edly very  good,  and  there  is  alfo  lefs  trou- 
ble attends  the  flax  ;  but  it  is  not  fo  good  in 
quality,  neither  do  I  think  it  yields  fo  well. 
Indeed  it  is  fcarce  ever  done,  but  in  a  coun- 
try that  has  net'  the  conveniency  of  water. 


CHAP. 


Vol.  11.  D 


22  A    NEW    SYSTEM 


CHAP.     V. 


r>ire6lion!  for  Breaking  and  Swingling  Flax 
without  Fire. 


AS  I  have  reminded  my  reader  to  take 
great  care  that  his  tops  of  flax  be 
kept  all  one  way,  and  the  roots  even,  it  is 
to  be  hoped  that  my  former  caution  may 
prove  fufficient;  if  not  it  will  occafion  the 
more  labour  to  the  breaker  ;  for  it  muft  be 
very  even  at  the  roots,  before  it  be  put  in 
the  breaker's  hands,  or  he  can  never  make 
good  work. 

Wherefore,  when  he  begins  to  break,  let 
him  take  a  Iheaf,  and  flacken  the  band,  but 
not  loofe  it  quire  ;  then  chop  the  root  end  on 
the  ground  ;  this  done,  pull  all  the  loofe 
rubbilh  it  has  gathered  from  it;  then  take  a 
little  more  than  he  can  hold  in  one  hand  and 
again  jump  it  even  at  the  root ;  take  hold  as 
near  the  top  as  poflible,  fo  as  to  hold  it  fall ; 

then 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  23 

then  take  a  little  of  the  top  from  under  the 
hand,  bring  it  round  the  flax,  and  lap  it 
round  his  thumb,  by  which  he  may  hold  it 
fafter  than  if  he  had  no  more  than  his  fing- 
ers could  meet  about ;  bend  it  two  or  three 
times  backwards  and  forwards,  fo  as  to  make 
it  fupple  clofe  to  the  hand ;  put  it  into  the 
brakes,  keep  it  thin  fpread  in  them,  and  as 
he  works  it  turn  it  often. 

When  the  root  is  breakcd,  let  him  ftrokc 
it  fmooth,  and  pull  the  end  ;  then  break  the 
top-end,  and  the  root  end  again. 

Being  thus  breaked,  let  him  begin  to 
fvvingle,  holding  it  in  the  nick  of  the  fwin- 
gle  ftock,  with  the  left  hand,  and  the  fwin- 
gle-hand  in  the  right,  let  him  always  hit  the 
top  of  the  ftock  above  the  nick,  and  it  will 
glance  down  paft  the  nick  with  full  force 
through  the  flax. 

When  the  root-end  is  fwingled  once  over, 
hackle  the  top-end  with  the  foot-hackle,  to 
take  out  the  rough  row  and  fhoves  which 
are  hard  to  fetch  out  effedually  with  the 
fvvingle-hand  alone. 

When  the  flax  is  good  and  rightly  water- 
ed, it  is  eafily  worked ;  three  times  going 
over  with  the  fvvingle-hand  will  be  fuflici- 
ent  to  clean  it  from  fhoves. 

If  it  be  rightly  fwingled  by  a  good  work- 
man, it  will  be  quite  clear  of  tow  to  all  ap- 
pearance, 


24  A     NEW    SYSTEM 

pcnrancc,  before  it  goes  into  the  hackle  ;  fo 
that  it  will  be  cafy  to  count  every  harl  in  it; 
and  the  root  will  be  as  even  as  a  pound  of 
candles,  and  look  asgloffy  after  the  fwinglc- 
hand,  as  ir  does  after  the  hackle. 

When  we  fee  a  parcel  of  flax  drefl'ed  to 
this  perfcdion  in  Ireland,  that  will  fetch,  in 
the  rough,  froni  fixty-eight  to  feventy  Ihil- 
lings  per  hundred,  we  may  venture  to  pro- 
nounce that  the  moft  eiTential  part  of  this 
noble  branch,  which  ought  to  be  the  firft 
introduced,  has  at  lail  found  its  way  into 
that  kingdom. 

But  though  I  have  given  rules  as  above 
for  a  fwinglcr,  I  am  certain  it  is  impofiible 
to  make  a  workman  without  occular  demonf- 
tration. 

It  is  true,  if  a  learner  had  an  old  work- 
man to  look  at  two  or  three  days,  thefe  di- 
rections would  be  of  great  ufc  to  facilitate 
his  inftrucl:ions. 

Wlialevcr  you  do,  beware  not  to  dry  flax 
with  the  fire,  or  even  the  fun,  after  it  gets 
a  fweat  in  the  mow  ;  for  if  you  do,  it  will 
certainly  reduce  both  the  value  and  weight, 
m.aking  it  light,  furzy  and  brittle. 


I  have 
n.  C  Stale  CoIkf« 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  45 

I  have  often  been  told  by  the  Irifh,  that 
they  thought  it  impoffible  to  drefs  flax  with- 
out fire ;  and  on  the  other  hand,  when  I 
have  told  the  Engliih  that  the  Irifh  dried 
their  flax  with  fire,  they  wondered  as  much, 
thinking  them  very  ignorant  for  fo  doing. 


CHAP, 


t6  A    NEW    SYSTEM 


CHAP.     VL 


Obfervations  on  flax-fee d,    of  its  being  worn 
out  or  tired,  and  how  to  refrefi  it,  &c» 


FLAX-fecd  is  a  very  deceitful  grain, 
for  though  it  may  look  well  to  the 
eye,  yet  it  may  not  be  worth  a  penny  a  cart- 
load for  fowing.  Indeed  if  it  be  of  a  good 
quality,  it  is  not  worfe  for  looking  well,  by 
being  clean  and  bright,  &cc. 

The  flax-larmcrs  are  as  much  on  their 
honor  in  fupporting  the  characfier  of  their 
feed,  as  that  of  their  ho  fcs ;  nay  more  fo  ; 
for  it  IS  impoflible  for  a  perfon  to  fell  a  par- 
cel of  feed  at  any  price,  if  he  is  not  known 
to  be  in  a  good  breed,  (as  they  call  it)  and 
he  mu  I  be  well  known  to  be  a  man  of  good 
charader,  and  his  feed  well  vouched. 

It 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         £7 

It  is  incredible  to  tell  the  difference  there 
is  in  flax-feed ;  which  I  have  feen  proved 
more  than  once.  An  inllance  or  two  1  beg 
leave  to  mention,  viz. 

A  farmer  of  my  acquai^itance  lived  about 
twenty  miles  from  the  flax-country,  and 
though  no  farther  off,  yet  he  was  quite  a 
flranger  to  the  branch,  but  as  he  was  a  pufli- 
ing  fcheming  man,  he  made  a  journey  over 
to  the  moft  famous  part  in  England  lor  flax. 
He  ftaid  a  few  days  among  the  fanners  ;  and 
as  he  was  a  fenfible  man,  without  doubt 
retu.  n^d  as  well  intruded  as  the  nature  of 
fuch  a  journey  would  admit. 

Upon  which  he  ploughed  up  twenty  acres 
of  good  old  lay  land,  and  fowed  it  with  flax- 
feed,  which  he  bought  at  an  oil-mill,  and 
which,  he  faid  looked  very  well,  being 
large,  bright  and  clean  ;  it  grew  very  vigor- 
oully  till  it  was  about  fourteen  inches  long, 
whereupon  it  made  a  full  flop,  began  to 
blolfom,  and  never  got  to  be  half  a  yard  in 
length.  He  was  greatly  furpriled  at  fuch  a 
dilappointmcnt ;  and  as  the  land  was  good 
could  not  unriddle  the  myftery. 

However,  he  was  not  difcouraged  beyond 
hope,  as  he  remembered  that  the  flax- 
farmers,  when  he  was  in  the  flax-country, 
fold  their  feed  for  four  pounds  per  quarter  ; 
fo  that  if  he  made  no  ufe  of  the  fiax^  the 

,    feed 


28  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

feed  he  apprehended  would  pay  him  better 
than  any  tiling  he  could  have  (owed  his  land 
with. 

Upon  this  prefumption,  he  took  a  fample 
and  went  to  fell  it  at  the  time  of  year  ;  but 
not  a  grain  could  he  difpofc  of  at  any  price 
though  the  farmers  were  felling  one  to  ano- 
ther at  four  pounds  a  quarter. 

He  wrote  me  a  pitiful  letter,  complain- 
ing of  the  flax-farmers,  behevmgthcy  com- 
bined againll:  him,  not  to  buy  his  feed, 
in  order  to  deter  him  from  lowing  any 
more. 

Hereupon  I  advifed  him  to  employ  a  per- 
fon  to  fell  it  for  him  by  commiflion,  and 
recommended  a  noted  tla^:-buyer  for  that 
purpofe. 

He  took  my  advice,  by  which  means  he 
fold  his  feed  at  four  pounds  per  quarter. — 
However  it  was  a  bad  job  for  all  fides ;  the 
buyers  loft  their  crop,  and  the  fellers  their 
credit. 

The  flax  was  fo  fhort  that  it  could  not  be 
wrought ;  and  as  to  him  who  fold  tlic  feed 
by  commiflion,  he  has  told  me  fince,  that 
his  credit  was  hurt  fo  much  by  felling  the 
faid  parcel  of  bad  feed,  thr.t  he  never  could 
fell  H  half  peck  flnce  in  the  commiffion- 
way. 

This 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  29 

This  fhews  how  cautious  a  farmer  ought 
to  be  in  the  choice  of  his  feed.  Among 
many  inftances  of  this  fort,  I  (hall  onlymen- 
tion  one  more  that  happened  to  myfelf. 

About  five  years  ago,  I  happened  to  be 
one  bufhel  (hort  in  finifhing  about  fixty  acres 
I  fo  wed  that  year,  with  good  feed  of  my  own 
rearing.  The  field  I  finifhed  in  contained 
twelve  acres,  and  was  very  good  land  j 
wherefore  I  thought  it  a  pity  to  let  any  of 
the  land  lie  idle. 

Hereupon  I  bought  fomefeed  at  a  venture, 
which  looked  well  and  grew  vigorous  as  the 
reft  of  the  field,  till  it  was  near  half  a  yard 
long,  and  then  it  made  a  full  flop,  bloffom- 
ed,  feeded,  and  grew  no  more,  though  all 
the  reft  of  the  field  was  from  a  yard  to  a 
yard  and  a  quarter  long. 

A  more  demonftrable  proof  I  never  faw, 
for  it  was  put  into  a  fack  wherein  the  good 
feed  had  been  ;  and  as  fome  grains  of  the 
good  feed  ftuck  to  the  fack  and  mixed,  it 
was  eafy  to  gather  every  ftalk,  of  fiax  that 
grew,  from  the  good  feed,  being  above 
twice  the  length  of  the  bad  fpccies. 

Moreover,  the  branches  of  the  good  feed 
were  long,  and  one  afpiring  above  another, 
having  a  leader  above  all  the  reft. 

But  it  is  not  fo  with  the  bad  fort,  of  which 
the  branches  are  all  of  a  height,  fo  that  the 

Vol.  11,  E  top 


30  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

top  wiil  be  as  even  as  a  clipped  hedge. 
WJien  (lax  comes  to  have  fuch  a  top,  and 
aharcs.  fo  much  in  heiglit,  it  is  a  fure  lign 
than  the  Teed  is  tired,  bad  and  worn  out. 

t'crhaps  my  reader  would  be  glad  to 
know  what  I  mean  by  feed  being  tired,  as 
alfo  how  to  help  tired,  feed  &cc.  which  is  as 
loUows,  viz,. 

Firii,  let  us  confider  that  it  is  from  the 
hot  climates  that  this  feed  comes  namely, 
from  North  America  and  Riga.  It  is  true 
tliat  the  heat  in  the  latter  only  contmues  a- 
bout  three  irionths  ;  but  that  is  the  feafon 
in  which  the  Hax  grows,  during  which  time 
it  is  exceeding  warm. 

The  heat  in  America  holds  much  longer ; 
and  it  is  well  knov/n  that  a  plant  or  veget- 
able, which  produces  a  fluid  fubftance, 
will  ripen  in  fruit  and  feed,  to  a  greater 
perfection  there,  than  it  will  in  our  cold  cli- 
mates ;  the  ikin  being  thin,  kind  nature,  as 
it  were,  crams  her  receptacles  full  of  rich 
juices  hiitcd  to  each  plant. 

This  in  flax-feed  is  dcmonfh-ably  proved 
by  the  oil  mills,  as  they  find  a  conhderable 
larger  produce  of  oil  from  foreign  new  feed, 
than  from  feed  that  has  been  repeatedly 
fown  for  many  years  in  England,  though 
the  latter  Ihall  look  brighter,  larger,  and 
plumper  than  the  former. 

The 


OF    HUSBANDRY,  31 

The  feed  therefore  certainly  degenerates 
by  not  producing  fo  much  oil  in  our  cold 
climates,  but  inftead  of  oil  a  thick  ikin,  and 
within  it  a  grofs  pulpy  fubftance  ;  and  the 
longer  it  is  fown  here,  the  more '  it  runs  to 
this  harfn  unkind  matter. 

Now,  this  oil  is  the  very  life  and  fpirit 
of  the  flax  ;  therefore  as  this  abates  in  quan- 
tity, the  flax  abates  in  its  length  and  real 
value. 

Without  doubt  were  a  parcel  of  ked  that 
is  quite  run  tired  in  England,  taken  to  thofe 
hot  countries  and  fown,  it  would  in  time  re- 
gain its'former  good  quality. 

But  let  not  my  brother  farmers  be  detcr- 
ed  from  faving  feed  in  the  colder  climates, 
under  fear  of  its  degenerating,  for  be  af- 
fured  it  may  be  fown  four  or  five  years  be- 
fore it  need  be  changed  ;  but  I  only  men- 
tion thefe  particulars,  in  order  to  lead  the 
flax-grower  thoroughly  into  this  branch. 

TKe  farmers  in  hngland  have  a  way  of 
refting  their  feed  (as  they  call  it)  which  is 
done  by  barreling  it  up,  letting  it  (land  a 
year  or  two  without  fowing;  the  longer  it 
llands  the  better.  This  was  difcovered  by 
chance, 

A  fan  r  happened  to  fpare  fome  feed 
after  '.  r ;  he  let  it  ftand  two  years  : — 

and,  s  came  to  fovv  it  at  the  end  cf 

'    thai 


32         A    NEW     SYSTEM 

that  term  among  fomc  feed  of  the  fame  fori: 
but  which  had  been  kept  fowing  each  year, 
it  topped  it  in  length  eight  inches.  This  ac- 
cidental experiment  has  brought  on  a  gene- 
ral pratflice,  as  it  is  found  to  refrelh  the  fec4 
in  a  furprifmg  manner. 

There  is  no  accounting  for  this  amend- 
ment, otherwife  than  by  fuppofing  that  the 
pulp  and  fkin  meliorates  by  the  evapora- 
tion of  the  watery  particles,  -and  by  the 
cruder  parts  being  mellowed  and  melted 
down  (as  it  were)   into  the  body  of  the  oil. 

Thus  any  fort  of  feed  of  an  oily  nature 
fuch  as  rape,  muftard,  or  cole-feed,  will 
produce  the  more  oil,  the  colder  it  is  ^  and 
it  is  oil  (as  I  faid  before)  which  is  the  very 
elTence  of  flax. 

A  farther  caution  is  neceffary,  that  your 
feed  be  clear  from  button-feed,  which  is  a 
very  pernicious  weed,  and  a  great  enemy  to 
flax  ;  for  where  this  gets  footing,  the  flax- 
feed  muft  be  condemned  for  oil,  be  it  ever  of 
fo  good  a  quality,  fo  fatal  is  this  weed  to  it. 

The  feed  of  this  weed  is  white  and  very 
fmall,  not  fo  large  as  the  fmallefl:  grain  of 
muftard-feed  ;  but  there  are  as  many  join- 
ed together  in  a  bunch  as  make  a  head  about 
the  lize  and  likenefs  of  a  waiftcoat  button, 
from  whence  it  takes  the  name  of  button- 
feed. 

It 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  33 

It  grows  on  a  fmall  ftalk,  which  twifts 
round  the  flax,  as  ivy  about  a  tree  ;  fo  that 
there  is  no  getting  quit  of  it  either  by  weed- 
ing or  fwingling,  as  it  will  not  part  the  flax 
^long  with  fhove;  and  the  increafe  is  fo 
very  great,  that  if  there  be  only  a  fewftalks 
in  an  acre  of  flax  this  year,  the  next  it  may 
deftroy  the  whole  crop. 

There  is  another  bad  feed  which  is  by 
fome  called  wild-willow, and  by  others  corn- 
bind  ;  this  is  not  much  unlike  hemp-feed, 
only  not  quite  fo  large  ;  it  alfo  twifts  round 
the  flax  as  ivy  round  a  tree,  which  makes 
it  impoffible  to  be  weeded  out ;  however 
as  the  feed  is  large,  it  will  ftay  in  a  fieve 
that  will  let  flax-feed  through,  by  which 
means  it  may  be  kept  clear  with  care,  and 
though  it  is  not  fo  multiplying  a  feed  as  but  - 
ton-feed,  yet  it  is  a  great  enemy  to  flax  and 
ought  to  be  guarded  againfl. 

There  are  leveral  forts  of  flax-feed  which 
might  be  explained,  were  it  worth  while  to 
go  to  the  nicety  of  matters :  but  as  I  have  no 
intention  to  fwell  this  work  with  matters  of 
fpeculation,  or  w  ith  any  thing  that  is  not  of 
immediate  confequence  to  the  farmer,  I 
{hall  only  mention  the  two  principal  feeds 
from  w  hence  we  derive  our  growth,,  namely, 
that  of  America  and  that  of  Riga. 

The 


34  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

The  former  is  ^  bright  bay  feed,  and 
produces  a  fine  fmall  flax;  but  the  Riga  is 
moflly  a  dark  bay,  broad,  flat  leed  ;  it  pro- 
duces a  grofs  tall  flax,  which  I  am  apt  to 
tliink  is  moll  fuitable  for  this  degenerating 
climate,  for  it  is  cafily  cured  and  made 
finer  by  fowing  it  fomewhat  thicker  on  the 
ground. 

I  got  the  beft  breed  of  feed  I  ever  had 
from  Memel  and  Riga.  This  Riga  feed  will 
lail  good  longer  than  American  feed  in  Eng- 
land or  Ireland ;  but  it  is  not  fo  beautiful  to 
the  eye,  neither  is  it  of  fo  high  a  price  in 
Dublin  as  the  American  feed. 

There  is  a  fort  of  feed  which  comes  from 
France,  and  when  fown  here  produces  a  fine 
flax,  but  fo  puny,  fhort  and  linall,  that  it  is 
fcarce  worth  reaping.  I  once  fowed  fome, 
by  way  of  trial,  but  loft  my  crop.  I  have 
alfo  f een  others  fuffer  by  it,  therefore  would 
have  my  reader  to  guard  againll  it. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  3^ 


CHAP.     til. 

DireBi'ons  for  making  French  Sieves,    ^nd 
their  life. 


TT^RENCH  fieves  fo  called,  as  they  came 
X"^  from  French  Flanders.  The  rim  is 
about  three  feet  diameter,  and  three  inches 
deep ;  the  bottom  is  made  of  parchment ; 
two  are  made  ufe  of,  and  called  a  fet ;  one 
of  them  goes  under  the  name  of  riddle,  and 
the  other  of  fieve. 

The  riddle  is  punched  with  a  hole,  thu& 
D  ;  it  lets  through  the  flax-feed  being  flat, 
and  any  round  or  fquare  feeds  ftay  in  the 
riddle. 

The  fleve  is  punched  with  round  holes 
thus  O .  which  lets  through  the  fmall  round 
feed,-fuch  as  rape,  muftard,  ketlock,  or 
button-feed,  but  the  flax-feed  ftays  in  the 
fieve.  Thefe  holes  mull  be  punched  to  aa 
€xa(ft  fize,  or  they  are  ufelefs. 

There 


26  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

There  is  a  particular  art  in  drefling  with 
thefe  lieves,  which  I  Ihall  fpare  myfell'  the 
trouble  of  explaining,  as  it  is  impoirible  to 
be  executed  without  feeing  it  put  in  prac- 
tice ;  and  even  then  it  is  not  eafily  learned. 

There  is  not  above  fix  pair  of  thefe  fieves 
In  England  ;  and  about  as  many  men  who 
are  capable  of  dreffing  with  them.  It  is  a 
calling  of  itfelf ;  and  at  the  time  of  fowing, 
they  are  very  bufily  employed.  A  farmer 
pays  about  two  fhillings  per  quarter  to  have 
his  feed  dreiTed  in  th^m.  None  requires  to 
be  dreffed  in  this  manner,  fave  fuch  as  have 
run  to  weeds ;  and  in  this  cafe,  though  it  is 
difficult  to  get  the  ri^ht  knack  of  dreffing 
or  turning  the  fieves,  yet  the  fiirring  of 
them  any  way  will  clear  a  great  deal  of  dirt 
and  feeds  out. 

The  expencc  of  a  fet  of  thefe  fieves,  at 
a  moderate  computation,  is  three  pounds, 
and  one  fet  and  two  men  will  clean  all  the 
flax-feed  for  ten  or  fifteen  miles  round  in  a 
flax-country. 


CHAP. 


OF     HUSBx\NDRY.         ^7 


CHAP.    VIIL 


On  Wmter-FIax, 


WE  may  tmly  call  that  winter- flaX 
which  is  fown  in  autumn,  to  ftand 
the  winter,  it  being  about  five  months  long- 
er in  the  ground  than  the  common. 

In  my  travels  throu^^h  Ireland,  1  have  met 
with  feveral  pei  Ions  that  told  me  they  had 
made  trial  of  this  method;  and  lome  fpeak 
in  favor  of  it,  but  there  are  many  more  who 
condemn  it. 

I  was  often  aiked  the  reafon  why  I  took 
no  notice  of  it  in  my  iirft  edition  ?  My  an- 
fwerwas,  that  1  thought  it  of  no  uii'ity  to  the 
public,  as  I  had  tried  it  long  ago,  aad  found 
it  did  not  anfwer  ;  thcreiore  1  omitted  tak- 
ing any  notice  of  it  lor  that  reafon.  The 
particulars  of  the  trials  1  made  areas  follows. 

Vol.  lU  F  VIZ. 


38  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

viz.  Obicrvlng  where  the  flax-feed  had  bceri 
a  cidcntally  I'cattered  in  aucumn,  and  diat 
ic  g!  evv,  or  kept  green  all  die  winter,  1  con- 
cluded that  this  method  might  be  improved 
upon  ;  t/iereJbre  I  was  determined  to  be  con- 
vinced by  a  lair  trial  ;  and  for  that  realbn 
in  OcTober  1759,  fowed  one  acie  in  the 
middle  ot  a  twelve  acre  licld,  tilled  well, 
and  managed  it  in  evciy  other  degree  as  it 
ought  to  be. 

About  the  middle  o*^  March  following,  I 
fowed  the  remainder  of  the  laid  field  wiih 
the  fame  fort  of  feed.  The  wiiUer-flax  got 
to  be  about  ti/e  inches  long  before  the  ie- 
veritv  of  the  winter  came  on;  after  which 
it  grew  no  more,  but  from  the  firO  fro  It 
changed  its  healthy  dark  green  to  that  of  a 
iickly  pale  green,  and  at  fpring  never  regain- 
ed its  former  healthy  complexion. 

After  the  fpring-fiax  came  up  to  be  about 
five  inches  long,  1  fet  flicks  as  marks  to  buih 
forts. 

The  fpring-flax  grew  above  one  inch  in 
twenty-four  hours  i  but  the  winter-flax  grew 
half  an  inch  only. 

The  winter-flax  was  ready  to  pull  three 
weeks  before  the  fpring-flax  ;  and  at  pulling 
was  fcarcely  thirty  inches  long :  the  fpring- 
flax  \vas  about  a  yard  and  feven  inches,  ia 
that  it  was  longer  than  the  lormei  by  thii--> 

ttea 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         59 

teen  inches  or  thereabouts.  The  winter- 
flax  branched  or  fpread  greatly  into  top,  fo 
confqnently  produced  iuoyq  leed  ;  which 
indeed  by  the  by  is  no  recommendation. 

The  year  tbliovving  i  made  another  i"n;all 
trial,  which  was  attended  wuth  much  the 
fame  confcquences ;  therefore  I  was  tho- 
roughly convinced  that  winter-flax  is  not  an 
advantageous  crop. 

The  failure  in  winter-flax,  may  be  ac- 
counted tor  in  the  foUowing  few  words, 
viz. 

it  is  to  be  confidcred  that  flax  in  its  na- 
ture, is  trulling  to  one  leader,  the  top  of 
which  is  exceeding  tender,  infomucli  that 
if  any  thing  wound  it  ever  fo  little,  it  will 
grovv  no  more,  but  llnke  or  fpread  out  into 
lide-branches,  which  is  of  no  other  ufe 
than  to  bear  the  feed,  being  of  a  poor  tov/y 
quality,  therefore  comes  otf  in  dreffmg  as 
fuch. 

if  a  fly,  or  what  is  commonly  called  a 
flax  fly,  happen  to  bite  or  wound  tiie  lead- 
er, or  top  of  a  flalk  of  flax,  when  at  five 
,  or  fix  inches  long,  it  Ifagnates  ii:s  growth, 
and  inakes  itfliort,  coarfe  and  ftunty,  much 
reiiembling  a  young  fir  tree  that  has  loff  its 
leader.  1  found  the  frofl:  had  pinched  the 
tender  leader  of  my  winter  flax,  which 
made  it  liable  to  the  faid  iliconfequences. 

Another 


40  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

Another  thing  is,  that  flax-land  murt:  bt 
harrowed  very  tine  at  the  time  of  fov^ing ; 
thereibre  much  wet  weather  in  winter  makes 
it  cement,  or  bake  together,  which  iielps 
to  bind  the  flax  in  the  ground,  and  recaid 
irs  growth.  Any  land  is  certainly  better 
and  fitter  for  a  crop,  that  after  a  fevere  win- 
ter, is  opened,  broke  up,  or  pulverized  ia 
fpring.  as  it  fweetens  and  proves  of  great 
Utility  thereto. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDHY.         ^i 


0/7  rJax  J/r;:'-j  Totatoss^ 


IF  flax-feed  be  fovn  ^^■^lOfr^  -potatoes  fet 
with  the  plough,  as  u»reidW.  in  this  treai- 
tife,  there  is  no  doitht  hvs.  ic  wiU  anfvver 
very  welU  as  the  potcitoes  are  fet  thm  and, 
in  drills,  having  about  eighteen  inches  be>- 
t  een  each  drill,  and  about  ten  inches  ibe^- 
tween  each  potatoc  ;  by  this  the  tops  of:th? 
potatoes  and  the  flax  do  not  incommode  or 
croud  each  other,  having  roqai  enough  lof 
each  to  flourish. 

The  potatoes  fet  thus,  will  fpr^d  under' 
g'-ound,  and  produce  a  lar  beter  crop  thaii 
when  planted  thick,  as  the  tops  by  this 
warm  lituation,  draw  one  another  up  weak 
and  tender  ;  and  nature  being  fo  protule  ia 
throvving  her  bounty  upwards  to  fupport  fo 

nijch 


42  A     NEW   ,SYSTEM 

m  ich  ufelefs  top  robs  herfclf  of  the  falts 
Ihc  ought  to  relervc  co  enlarge  the  pota- 
toes. 

In  rhe  year  176;,  I  received  the  higheft 
premium  in  Ireland,  for  laving  the  moll  and 
befb  flax-feed  among  p  tatoes.  I  faved  for- 
ty-eight pecks  of  good  feed  ;  only  the  land 
was  lubjed  to  weeds,  and  had  little  pains 
bellowed  to  clean  it,  or  I  might  have  had 
as  much  more ;  the  potatoes  were  very 
good  alio.  I  let  them  \vith  the  plough,  a& 
direded  in  this  treatife. 

As  foon  as  the  potatoes  were  planted,  I 
fowed  the  feed  the  broadeft  way,  at  the 
rate  of  eight  quarts  to  the  acre  ;  and  in  or- 
der to  tiy  experiments  I  raUed  and  rolled 
fome  ;  but  the  moll  part  of  it  I  did  nothing 
to  after  fowing,  but  left  it  uncovered,  which 
proved  the  bell  crop ;  and  though  it  may 
ieem  odd  to  my  reader,  yet  it  may  be  eali- 
ly  accounted  lor. 

It  is  to  be  obferved,  that  flax-feed  being 
of  an  oily  nature  has  a  great  attraction,  in- 
iomuLh,  that  if  a  field  be  fown  and  not  cov- 
ered by  harrowing  or  othe'-wife,  the  fccond 
da*  alter  fowing,  it  v.iU  be  impolVible  to 
find  a  lingle  gram,  particidarly  if  there  fall 
in  the  mean  tmie  either  dew  or  rain,  or  if 
it  be  lown  in  green  mold.  Each  grain  ga- 
thers  tlie  fine   particles  of  earth  about  it, 

being 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         43 

being  candied  (as  it  were)  with  mold,  and 
much  refembles  a  comfit;  lb  that  after  the 
fecond  day  (as  1  oblerved)  one  lofes  it  infen- 
libly,  and  fees  no  more  of  it  till  it  rifes  at 
the  top  of  the  plant,  which  it  will  in  abi'Ut 
five  days  after  it  is  fown.  The  lirfl  time  I 
found  this  out  1  was  greatly  alarmed,  as  fol- 
lows,   viz. 

In  17^3,  I  had  a  hrge  field  ready  to  fow 
on  a  Saturday,  and  having  a  call  from  home 
I  lent  a  man  to  fow  the  field,  and  ordered 
it  to  be  harrowed  once  in  a  place  v/hen  fown. 
At  my  coming  home  1  was  told  the  field  was 
fown,  but  about  an  acre  of  it  left  uncover- 
ed. 

On  Monday  I  fent  to  finifh  the  field,  hut 
the  fervant  returned  in  a  great  hurry,  tell- 
ing me  that  the  birds  has  picked  up  all  the 
feed ;  upon  this  I  as  well  as  the  reli  of  the 
faiTJily,  and  fome  of  my  neighbours,  went 
to  fee  if  it  was  necelTary  to  fow  over  again. 

We  fought  a  confidcrable  time  and  could 
not  find  a  fingle  grain  ;  therefore  had  con- 
cluded to  (ow  it  over  again ;  bur  by  chance 
I  found  a  grain  by  rubbing  the  mold  between 
my  lingers  ;  this  learned  me  how  to  feek 
for  it,  after  which  I  found  feveral  grains 
candied  wirh  a  coat  of  mold,  and  very  fli- 
my. 

In 


'44  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

In  (^I*c1cr  to  fee  the  refult  of  ihis,  I  left  it 
ts  it  was  with  )ut  harrowing,  and  1  iiever  had 
a  iner  crop;  1  believe  every  j^rain  grey,  and 
£•1  Halted  (;«s  it  were)  iairl/  together,  an! 
ti  >t  oie  i^vMn  biTiied  deeprr  than  another  ; 
V  hich  is  not  the  caie  when  hirro.ved,  for 
V'.ien  it  hvi-ieis  that  in  cafe  lo  iie  may  be 
luiied  deeper  th:in  others  and  if  diy  >vithiri 
n^akes  tvo  ^, owti^si,  wiiicii  in  a  acuiuneat 


CHAP. 


OF     HUSBANDRY.  ^^ 


CHAP.     X. 

It&e  Ma?2agement  of  White  Fkx,  in  Pull- 
ingy  Watering^  G?'rrjjtng,  &c. 


^HE  name  of  white  flax  nrifes  from  the 
flax  being  pulled  while  green,  not 
being  fuffered  to  iland  till  the  leed  is  ripe  or 
even  till  the  boles  turn  brown  or  a  dark 
colour,  by  which  means  the  fubftancc  of 
the  oil  infliead  of  arifing  to  feed  the  feed  is 
fcagnated  and  remains  in  the  llvin  of  the  flax, 
therefore  it  not  only  makes  the  flax  tough, 
oily  and  filky,  but  makes  it  a  white  clear 
colour  and  drefs  well. 

Your  flax  pullers  being  aranged  properly 
in  order  each  perfon  is  to  bind  his  own 
fheaf,  make  it  no  larger  than  you  can  hold 
in  both  hands,  and  as  the  bands  (if  made  of 
good  flax)  will  be  damaged,  th?y-  are  gene- 
rally tied  with  the  fmaij  under  growth  of 
flax. 

Vol.  U.  G  In 


46  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

In  the  evening  of  the  day  it  is  pulled,  or 
the  next  day  at  faitheft,  put  the  flax  in 
water  for  being  expofed  in  the  fun  it  dries 
the  oily  nature  out,  and  will  make  it  of  two 
colours. 

The  depth  of  water  proper  to  water  in, 
is  three  or  four  feet,  begin  to  lay  a  layer 
a  crofs  the  pond  and  fo  continue  laying  the 
feed  end  uppermoft  fo  that  no  part  of  the  flax 
except  the  feed  can  be  feen,  till  you  have 
filled  the  pond,  but  if  one  layer  be  not  fuffi- 
cient  to  fill  the  pond  fo  that  you  may  (land 
a  minute  on  the  flax  without  finking  over 
the  fhoes,  you  muft  lay  another  layer,  in 
fa£l  flax  always  rates  bell  when  it  is  put  in 
pretty  fliff. 

The  pond  being  thus  filled,  you  mull 
cover  it  clofe  with  thin  fods  laying  the  grafs 
fide  downwards,  or  next  to  the  flax,  but  if 
you  do  not  cover  all  the  flax,  any  left  ex- 
pofed to  the  fun  will  be  of  a  dificrcnt  co- 
lour. 

The  flax  whilft  in  the  pit,  mufl  be  trod 
every  night  and  mornijig  till  you  bring 
water  over  the  fods,  the  more  it  is  trod  the 
better  and  evencr  it  rates,  when  it  is  near 
being  enough  watered  the  flax  will  fink  till 
the  fods  are  under  water. 

When  you  think  it  enough  watered,  take 
a  little  out  and  dry  it,  when  dry  if  the  llaik 

pr 


OF     HUSBANDRY.  47 

or  fhove  break  and  part  freely  from  the  flifn 
when  rubbed  between  the  finger  and  thumb, 
it  is  enough  watered,  take  it  out  and  let  it 
drip  a  day  on  the  bank  of  the  pit,  then  take 
it  to  fome  even  grafs  field  and  fpread  it 
llraight,  thin,  and  clear  of  lumps,  if  it  be 
fcarce  enough  rated  in  the  water  it  will  take 
a  longer  time  on  the  grafs,  when  it  has  been 
about  a  week  fpread  on  the  grafs  it  mufl  be 
turned  with  llraight  flicks  or  turning  rods. 

When  you  think  it  enough  rated  tie  it  up 
in  Iheaves,  and  let  it  get  a  fweat  in  the  mow ' 
or  flack  before  you  break  or  fwingle  it . 

Take  care  never  to  rate  or  water  flax  in 
water  that  comes  from  a  lime  flone  quarry, 
or  in  hard  water,  or  in  a  running  water, 
that  is  where  a  current  of  water  runs  through 
the  pond,  for  while  the  flax  is  foft  the  ilream 
of  water  would  wafh  the  fkin  off,  and  lime 
wr.^er  burns  and  fpoils  the  flax,  neither  is 
hard  water  fo  good  as  foft  water  to  rate 
in. 


CHAP, 


4S        A    NEW    SYSTEM 


CHAP.     XL 


To  the  diiTercnt  Lcgiflatures  of  America, 
and  Ibch  other  Gentlemen  as  have  power, 
abilities  and  capacit)'  to  enforce,  advife 
and  contribute  towards  making  Ac^s, 
forming  Schools,  &cc.  as  are  here  fet  forth 
for  the  Improvement  of  Youth,  and  the 
Promotion  of  Agriculture  and  Trade. 


T  is  no  longer  a  controvertible  point  whe- 
ther the  Icience  of  agriculture  merits 
the  diHinguifhed  attention  of  philofophical 
minds,  and  is  the  proper  itudy  of  the  mod 
enlarged  underftanding,  hnce  the  proof  is 
beyond  contradidion,  that  a  judicious  rural 
ceconomy  is  one  of  the  chief  fupporters  of 
the  profperity  of  a  flate. 

VVe  every  day  fee  inflanccs  in  common 
life  where  the  happieft  difpofition,  moll  in- 
formed genius,  luperior  talents,  profound 
knov/ledge,  even  probity  and  virtue  becomes 

ufelefs. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  49 

ufelefs,  and  are  loft  in  the  wreck  of  their 
pofleiTors  fortune,  if  he  omits  to  regulate 
his  domeftic  affairs  by  the  rules  of  a  wife 
and  prudent  csconoray. 

The  fame  obfervation  may  be  extended 
to  the  wifeft  fyftems  of  legiflature,  and  in- 
deed the  beft  political  inftitutions  will  lofc 
their  efiicacy  and  are  incapable  of  defend- 
ing a  ftate  from  abfoliite  ruin,  unlefs  a  ge- 
neral fcheme  of  ceconomy  fenfibly  executed 
provides  for  the  fubfifcance  of  the  people  ; 
either  by  finding  within  itfelf  thofe  produc- 
tions requifite  to  the  fupport  of  individuals, 
or  exciting  a  fpirit  of  induflry  to  exchange 
with  foreign  nations  the  produce  of  manu- 
fartories  for  the  neceffaries  of  life. 

There  is  fomething  fo  feducing  to  the 
imagination  in  this  lad  method,  that  there 
is  danger  of  fuffering  ourfeives  to  be  de- 
ceived in  giving  it  a  preference  to  the  for- 
mer. 

Through  the  medium  of  commerce  ma- 
nufadlures  invite  into  the  country  (where 
they  flourilh)  not  only  the  neceffaries  of  life, 
but  every  luperfluity  of  wealth  and  luxury. 

However  pariimonious  the  hand  of  na- 
ture may  have  been  to  fuch  a  country,  it 
foon  becomes  m.ore  affluent  than  the  moft 
fertile  foils,  and  increafes  in  power  and  po- 
pulation almoft  miraculoufly.  Yet  if  agri- 
culture 


50  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

culture  remains  negledcd,  all  thefc  advan- 
tages' will  be  fluctuating  and  uncertain,  whilft 
on  the  contrary  where  that  is  conlidcred  as 
the  firll  object:  of  national  attention,  it  corv- 
du(^^s  diredly  and  invariably  to  the  end  de- 
Tired,  without  expoling  us  to  the  caprice  of 
fortune. 

A  flate  that  amply  produces  the  fufte- 
nance  of  its  inhabitants  from  its  own  bowels, 
has  at  leaft  the  advantage  of  independency  ; 
whilft  the  richeft  nation  when  obliged  to 
have  recourfe  to  the  affillance  of  foreigners 
for  the  neccffaries  of  life,  fubmits  to  all  the 
viciflitudes  of  unforefeen  events,  and  in  ma- 
ny inftances  muft  be  fubfcrvient  to  the  cor- 
dial or  unfriendly  difpofition  of  its  neigh- 
bours. 

The  late  king  of  PrulTia,  an  excellent  fi- 
nancier in  many  refpe(^s,  and  who  had  very 
enlarged  frhemes  for  augmenting  public  re- 
venues, reafoned  very  jul\ly  on  the  eftabliili- 
ed  principles  of  his  political  fyftem  that  a- 
griculture  is  the  foundation  of  the  opulence 
and  profperity  of  a  ftate.  He  encouraged 
in  the  flrongeft  manner,  and  made  feveral 
regulations  in  its  favor,  whofe  wifdom  wa? 
unperceived  till  many  years  after  ;  the  con- 
ftant  attention  he  paid  to  the  obfervance 
of  thefe  regulations,  compleated  their  {alu- 
fiarv  effcds. 

"^    UBRARY.  This 

Dldsicm  of  Hortieulhire, 

V.  0.  D»i>'t  of  Amcnltnre. 


OF    HUSBANDRY,  51 

This  monarch  had  undcrftanding  to  know 
(and  all  financiers  ought  to  be  proud  of  re- 
ceiving inftrucftions  from  a  mafter)  that  the 
moft  lluborn  and  infertile  foils  are  melorated 
by  manuring  and  ploughing,  and  that  rich 
land  is  made  ftill  richer.  He  therefore  in- 
filled that  farmers  of  his  demefnes  and  pro- 
prietors of  cftates  in  lands  fhould  manure 
them  fufjiciently,  and  plough  deeply  and 
frequently. 

When  the  king  was  expecfted  to  pafs  thro' 
the  provinces,  the  gentlemen,  the  farmers, 
nay  even  the  peafants  thought  they  could 
not  pay  their  court  better  than  in  placing  a 
dung-hill  before  their  doors. 

A  powdered  courtier  might  Ineeringly 
deny  this  ceconomical  attention  a  place  a- 
mong  the  royal  virtues,  but  the  fagacious 
monarch  was  fenfible  that  thefe  dung-hills 
fpread  over  the  fields  woiild  produce  a  crop 
of  ducats. 

He  had  the  fatisfadlon  to  fee  after  reign- 
ing fome  years  the  fands  of  the  marlh  of 
Brandenburgh,  the  heaths  and  morafl'es  of 
PrufTia  covered  with  a  plentiful  harvefl  of 
the  fineft  corn  in  the  v/orld. 

The  king  his  fon  fupplied  all  that  was 
wanting  to  bring  this  noble  plan  to  perfcdi- 
.on  ;  and  we  have  feen  in  a  fhort  fpace  of 

time 


52  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

time  the  fandy  defart  that  extended  to  the 
very  gates  of  Berhn,  converted  into  good 
and  profitable  land. 

How  are  we  to  account  for  the  variation 
of  rent  in  cftates  where  the  foil  is  naturally 
the  fa*mc,  fituate  in  the  fame  parifh,  and  ad- 
jacent to  each  other,  a  variation  fo  remark- 
able that  a  farm  of  a  hundred  acres  is  fome- 
timcs  let  for  more  than  one  of  a  thoufand, 
and  the  produce  very  nearly  anfwers  that 
proportion,  or  how  clfc  fhould  it  happen 
that  the  fame  ground  rifes  and  falls  in  value 
fo  confiderably  at  diflferent  perfods.  I  have 
feen  fome  eflates  fold  for  a  third  lefs  than 
had  been  given  for  them  twenty  years  be- 
fore, and  others  whofe  purchafe  has  advanc- 
ed in  my  time  to  three  times  this  ellimation 
fifty  years  back. 

The  different  degrees  of  llvillfulnefs,  in- 
duftry,  or  negled  in  the  occupiers  of  thefe 
eftatcs  was  undoubtedly  the  caufe  of  the  va- 
riation, and  I  am  apt  to  believe  it  depends 
on  our  Own  diligence  and  induilry  whether 
wc  will  double  the  fertility  of  our  lands  and 
by  that  means  relieve  ourfelvcs  from  the 
itate  of  dependency.  However  a  great  ma- 
ny of  the  improvements  whether  in  agri- 
culture or  commerce  depend  chiefly  on  the 
laws  cnaded  by  the  Lcgiflaturc,  or  fchemes 
fct  on  foot  by  the  leading  men  in  a  neigh- 
bourhood 


OF     HUSBANDRY,         53 

'bourhood  who  has  abilities  and  judgment  to 
plan  and  encourage  them,  fuch  as  fpinning 
Ichools,  weaving  fchools^  or  other  mecha- 
nichal  arts,  premiums,   ^c. 

How  ealy  would  it  be  for  a  fet  of  gentle- 
men who  live  a  few  miles  only  from 
each  other,  to  take  a  houfe,  provide  a 
maRer  and  miftrefs  to  teach  their  black  chil- 
dren to  read  and  fpin,  which  they  are  very 
capable  of  from  three  years  old  and  up- 
v/ardsi  and  whom  at  prefent  are  brought  up 
in  idlenefs. 

Alfo  if  a  fcciety  of  gentlemen  were  to  form 
3n  academy  and  give  premiums  for  the  beft 
invention  in  mechanics,  for  implements  of 
huibandry,  he.  the  beft  growth  or  moft: 
corn,  flax  and  hemp,  from,  an  acre,  kc.  Sec. 
it  would  be  laying  a  foundation  for  improve- 
ments. 

Societies  of  thefe  forts  are  very  common 
all  over  England,  for  which  they  raife  mo- 
ney by  voluntary  fubfcriptions,  and  though 
many  farmers  may  have  an  eye  to  the  pre- 
mium or  a  medal  offered,  yet  ambition  is 
the  chief  fpur  to  make  them  ftrive  for  pre- 
eminence. 

The  dog-aft  which  is  herein  pointed  out, 
would  be  a  fuineient  lund  for  any  ftate  in 
America  to  enable  them  to  give  copious  pre- 
miums, if  gentlemen  did  not  chufe  to  raife 
Vol.  II.  H  money 


54  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

money  by  fubfcription ;  and  as  the  money 
raifed  by  this  zd:  would  return  back  among 
land-holders,  no  doubt  but  the  adt  would 
give  general  Iati«fadion, 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         5-; 


CHAP.    XII. 


A  few  hints  humbly  offered  for  the  pcrufal 
of  the  Legiflatures  of  America,  on  a  ge- 
neral act  of  Congrefs  to  prevent  run-away 
fervants. 


BY  advertifements  and* rewards  ofltered 
daily  in  the  news-papers,  he.  we  find 
that  run-away  fervants,  for  which  money 
has  been  advanced,  is  a  growing  evil  and  if 
poffible  ought  to  have  a  Hop  put  to,  as  the 
matter  is  not  only  deprived  of  his  property 
but  fuch  vagrants  when  at  liberty,  moll:iy 
turn  out  to  commit  depredations  on  the 
public. 

Suppofe 


j;6  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

jSiippofe  an  acl:  from  the  Congrefs  was  to 
run  nearly  in  words  or  fubftance  as  fol- 
lows  : 

Whereas  it  appears  to  the  congrefs  af- 
■fembled,  bcc.  That  a  pubhc  evil  has  long 
prevailed,  and  iiill  fcems  to  gain  ground, 
that  fervants  for  whom  money  has  been  ad- 
vanced, and*  they  bound  to  ferve  a  certain 
number  of  years  to  repay  it  by  their  labour 
run  away  from  their  mafters  (which  is  the 
lame  thing  as  robbing  them  of  fo  much  caih) 
bcfides  putting  them  to  great  trouble  and 
expence  in  advertifemcnts,  rev.'ards,  he. 

In  order  to  put  a  Hop  to  this  evil  as  well 
as  to  prevent  as  much  as  poflible  fuch  loole 
vagrants  from  llroling  about  the  country  to 
commit  depredations  on  the  public. 

Therefore  be  it  enacted  from  the  authori- 
ty aforefaid.  That  Irom  and  after  the  firft 
day  of  1 7  any 

perfon  who  takes  a  fcrvant  for  whom  he 
advances  money,  and  which  fervant  is  to 
ferve  a  limited  time,  in  order  to  repay  it, 
that  it  fliall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  faid 
purchafer  of  any  fcrvant  to  fct  a  mark  on 
the  back  of  the  arm,  under  the  lleeve  of 
the  fliirt,  imprinted  letters  fignifying  the 
piafter's  name  and  county  in  which  he  lives, 

tho 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  57 

the  year  of  our  Lord  in  which  he  was  in- 
dented, and  a  figure  to  fignify  the  years  to 
icrve. 

And  be  it  ena^ed  by  the  authority  afore- 
faid,  that  the  faid  mark  or  letters  Ihall  be 
made  with  the  point  of  a  needle,  by  piick- 
ing  or  railing  the  Ikin  (which  may  be  done 
without  pain,  or  even  without  drawing 
blood,  if  the  performer  be  dexterous)  after 
the  letters  are  made,  bruife  gun-powder 
fine  and  rub  it  over  them  until  it  works  un- 
der the  Ikin,  which  will  turn  the  letters  all 
black  and  legible,  and  which  time  or  art 
will  never  efface. 

The  mark  or  writing  will  fland  thus : 

'John  Ddvis,  St.  Maiy's  co.  1784.  5 

Be  it  further  cnaded,  that  if  a  fervant 
thus  marked,  run  away  to  any  other  Hate, 
and  offer  himfelf  to  be  hired  or  aik.  for 
work,  &cc.  it  Ihall  and  may  be  lawful  for 
any  one  prefent  to  examine  his  mark,  to 
know  whether  he  be  a  bound  man  or  free  ; 
if  it  appears  from  the  figure  of  years  to 
ferve,  when  compared  with  the  prefent 
year,  that  his  time  is  not  expired,  it  ihall 
and  may  be  lawful  for  the  conftable  of  the 
parilh  to  hire  two  men  as  a  proper  guard  to 
conduft  him  back  to  his  mailer,  who  muft 

pajr 


5S  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

pay  the  men  wages,  other  expences  and 
all  reafonable  charges. 

And  be  it  enacfted  by  the  authority  afore- 
faid,  that  if  any  one  who  indents  or  hires  a 
fervant,  and  if  the  faid  mailer  neglects  or 
omits  to  have  the  faid  fervant  marked  ac- 
cording to  law  as  afore  faid,  and  if  the  faid 
fervant  run-away,  the  mailer  of  fuch  fer- 
vant, fhall  not  demand  him  back  but  lofe 
the  benefit  of  faid  fervant,  and  alfo  forfeit 
the  fum  of  fifty  pounds,  to  be  recovered  by 
law,  one  half  to  the  informer,  and  the 
other  to  the  poor  of  the  pariih  where  the 
mailer  lives. 

It  may  feem  a  fort  of  cruelty  to  make 
marks  in  the  fkin  as  above,  but  it  is  no  fuch 
thing,  for  it  is  often  done  by  failors  them- 
felves  before  they  go  abroad,  that  Ihould 
they  be  drowned  they  may  be  known  by 
their  name  on  their  hand  or  arm.  I  have 
feen  a  mark  that  has  been  very  legible  after 
fifty  years  Handing. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.        5^ 


CHAP.  XIII. 

A  few  Hints  humbly  offered  for  tlie  perufal 
of  the  Legiflature  of  America,  relating  to 
a  Dog  Ad:,  bcc. 


THOUGH  I  am  no  great  politician, 
yet  I  wifh  fo  well  to  the  conftitution 
of  America,  that,  fo  far  as  I  am  capacitated, 
I  would  moft  willingly  lend  a  hand  to  point 
out  any  laws  that  might  be  of  utility  to  its 
inhabitants. 

And  I  flatter  myfelf,  that  fuch  of  my  rea- 
ders as  arc  impartial,  will  think  with  me, 
that  a  dog  ad  would  be  of  great  utility  to 
the  public ;  cfpecially  after  they  have  been 
told  the  immenfe  funis  it  would  fave  to  the 
induftrious  part  of  mankind,  and  alfo  the 
great  revenue  it  would  raif«  to  the   public 

funds 


^o  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

funds  out  of  tlic  pockets  of  none  but  fuch 
as  could  well  fpare  it;  as  any  one  who  found 
himfelf  opprclfcd  could  eafe  himfelf  by  part- 
ing with  the  caufe  thereof. 

Secondly,  it  would  lop  off  a  great  many 
ufelefs  animals  ;  and  fuch  as  are  of  benefit 
would  be  preferved  for  their  merit  and  the 
owner's  interelt.  Neither  ought  a  poor  man 
to  keep  a  dog  if  he  be  not  we'd  able;  it  is 
inhuman  to  keep  any  dumb  animal  to  llarve, 
which  many  mull:,  did  they  not  cat  the 
poor  children's  bread  and  butter,  or  turn 
out  to  worry  (heep. 

It  is  always  allowed,  that  what  vvill  keep 
2  dog  will  keep  a  pig ;  and  1  think  I  need 
not  fay  which  would  be  found  the  moft  pro- 
fitable to  the  poor  man's  family  at  Chrill- 
mas,  a  dog  for  his  children  to  play  with, 
or  bacon  to  fill  their  bellies. 

I  may  be  alkcd,  why,  cannot  a  poor  man 
fee  theie  follies  himfell?  I  anfwer  no;  be- 
caufe  fore-call  docs  not  always  get  the  bet- 
ter of  folly  in  this,  no  more  than  in  every 
other  degree  in  life  ;  there  is  a  natural  ten- 
dernefs  and  indulgence,  in  every  parent  to- 
wards their  children,  as  well  as  in  ladies 
for  their  lap-dogs;  pardon  the  comparifon. 

Thirdly,  it  will  appear,  that  there  will  be 
yearly,  at  leaft  a  half  million  of  money 
iavcd,  that  will  center  among  the  pooretl 

lort 


OF     HUSBANDRY.  61 

fort  of  individuals;  and  alfo  125,000!.  fter- 
ling,  which  will  go  to  the  public  funds, 
out  of  the  pockets  of  the  abler  fort. 

In  order  to  reduce  this  to  fome  fort  of 
certainty,  it  may  not  be  amifs  to  make  a 
comjmtation,  how  many  dogs  may  be  in 
America,  and  (upon  fuch  an  act  paffmg) 
how  many  ufeful  ones  may  he  kept  to  pay 
tax,  and  how  many  of  the  reverfe,  deftroy- 
edfor  a  faving.  This  cannot  be  done  bet- 
ter, than  by  firll  making  a  computation, 
how  many  people  are  fuppoled  to  be  in 
America,  which  is  at  the  leall  5,000,000. 

There  is  nothing  that  can  give  a  better 
idea  of  the  mcreaie  of  people,  than  the  mul- 
tiplying of  new  houfes  ;  neither  is  there  any 
one  object  that  attra<Sts  the  eye  of  a  traveller, 
or  dwells  upon  his  memory  more,  owmg 
perhaps  both  to  the  largenels  of  the  object, 
and  to  the  tafle  of  building  in  the  prefent 
times. 

Few  men  have  travelled  more  than  I  have 
done,  and  I  have  made  my  remarks  very 
minutely,  upon  the  looking  over  of  which, 
and  comparing  my  journal  with  all  the  ob- 
fervations  and  computations  I  can  make,  I 
am  clearly  of  opinion  that  there  is  dally  a 
great  increafe  of  people  in  America. 

This  may  occur  to  any  one  who  lives  in 
any  part  of  the  Continent,  if  he  only  takes 

Vol.  II.  I  notice 


62  A    N  E  W    S  ^'  S  T  E  M 

notice  of  the  many  new  houfes  th?*:  arc  dai- 
ly buik^ii^g  in  every  town  and  ^ity,  together 
with  all  the  rarni-houres  and  gentlemen's 
feats  that  arc  llarting  up  in  the  middle  of 
every  new  inclofurc  or  clearance  that  arc 
rapidly  going  on  in  all  parts  of  America. 

Neither  are  there  any  houfes  that  Hand 
long  empt)',  bcin^  immediately  tenanted. 

Were    not    this  the    cale,  architects,  or 
'  proprietors  would  foon  Hop  building  ;   but 
it  is  the  great  demand  that  makes  them  pufh 
forward  the  work  with  fpirit. 

Some  will  compute  live,  and  fome  four 
people  in  a  family  ;  but  to  a\  oid  fracflions 
we  will  allow  live  people  to  a  family. 

This  makes  one  million  of  families;  and 
I  think  we  may  juHly  compute  one  dog  to 
each  family;  as  there  ai  e  more  families  that 
have  two  or  three  dogs  in  them,  than 
what  are  without  ;  not  to  fpeak  of  gentle- 
men that  keep  hounds,  who  have  perhaps 
more  dogs  than  people. 

Tlicreiore  I  lay,  we  may  almoH  with  a 
certainty,  fet  down  at  leall  one  million  of 
dogs  in  America. 

The  next  queilion  is  what  each  dog  will 
take  in  a  year  to  maintain  him  ;  which  I 
think  v/e  may  juftly  fet  down  twenty  lliil- 
ling  ;  for  if  a  gentleman  in  England  (and 
TK^I'j.ils    in   An:ciica   are    dearcrj    fends    a 

whelp 


OF     HUSBANDRY.  63 

«fvhclp  into  the  country  to  be  reared,  he  ne- 
ver pays  lefs  than  half  a  guinea  or  fifteen 
Ihillings,  till  he  is  a  half  year  or  three  quar- 
ters old,  and  fometimes  a  guinea ,  except 
lie  fends  him  to  a  tenant  who  is  under  an 
obligation  to  him, in  this  cafehepays  perhaps 
nothing,  but  then  the  confumption  ot  vic- 
tuals is  no  kfs,  for  the  dog  eats  the  fame  as 
if  paid  for. 

As  to  gentlemen's  hounds,  grey-hounds, 
pointers,  and  my  lady's  lap-dogs,  they  coft 
a  great  deal  more. 

We  will  fuppofe  Pug  only  to  defliov  one 
pound  of  meat  in  the  day,  reckoning  bread 
and  butter,  tea,  roaft-bccf  or  what  is  (lir- 
ring,  and  call  that  only  three-pence,  tho' 
ready  dreiled  and  without  a  bone,  (becaufe 
it  would  be  very  imprudent  to  give  poor  Pug 
bone  to  break  his  teeth.)  Now  three-pence 
per  day,  ^vill  be  found  to  amount  to  four 
pounds  eleven  fhillings  and  tlu'ee  pence  fter- 
ling  a  year. 

This  to  be  fure,  is  nothing  in  a  lady's 
pocket ;  no  more  is  dirting  or  wearing  her 
aprons,  8cc.  any  great  matter,  bccauie  fhc 
can  mend  them  herfelf ;  which  fliews  good 
houfewifery. 

But  tho'  fuch  things  be  not  felt  by  peo- 
ple in  afBuence  of  fortune,  yet  be  aflured 
^t  hurts  the  public  in  general. 

The 


M 


«4  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

The  greater  the  confumption  is,  the 
higher  is  the  price  in  the  articles  thereof ; 
and  a  half-penny,  or  a  farthing  in  a  pound, 
in  cither  meat  or  bread,  is  very  fenfibly  tclt 
by  the  lower  fort  of  people. 

If  one  million  of  dogs  confiime  annually 
twenty  Ihillings  rterling  each,  the  fum  a- 
mounts  to  one  million  of  money  fterling. 
Suppofe  an  ad  of  alTembly  to  pafs,  that 
each  dog  Ihould  pay  five  Ihillings  fterling 
yearly,  the  fum  would  amount  to  250,0001. 
fterling  a  year. 

But  upon  fuch  an  a<^'s  taking  place,  wc 
will  fuppofe  all  the  ufelefs  dogs  deftroyed, 
and  tax  paid  only  for  fhepherds  dogs,  far- 
mers houfe  dogs,  and  gentlemen's  dogs, 
which  might  perhaps  reduce  the  number  to 
one  half,  that  is  one  to  every  two  families, 
then  the  lum  raifed,  would  be  yearly  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  thoufand  pounds, 
to  go  into  the  public  funds,  which  would 
all  come  from  the  pockets  of  fuch  as  would 
be  well  able  to  pay  it ;  and  as  I  obferved 
before,  if  any  one  found  himfelf  oppreft'ed 
by  the  tax,  he  could  quickly  eafc  himfelf 
by  difpatching  the  dog. 

The  laid  half  million  of  ufelefs  animals 
that  would  be  put  away,  reckoning  each  to 
<;iefli-oy  twenty   Ihillings  worth   of  victuals 

cver^ 


OF    HUSBANDRY, 


67 


«very  year,  this  would  be  a  faving  to  the  na- 
tion of  half  a  million  of  money,  and  this  too 
from  thofe  of  the  pooreft  fort. 

Though  thefe  calculations  are  only  guefs- 
work,  yet  the  probability  is  fo  great  on  their 
fide,    that  it  almoft  amounts   to  a  certainty. 

Perhaps  fome  of  my  readers  may  imagine, 
that  I  have  fome  intereft  in  writing  upon  this 
fubject ;  but  1  will  aiTure  them  1  have  not, 
fo  tar  from  it,  that  were  fuch  an  acft  to  take 
place,  I  fhould  in  all  probability,  pay  for 
two  or  three  dogs,  being  very  fond  of  thofe 
animals,  fo  far  as  they  are  ufeful ;  but  I  have 
no  notion  of  keeping  a  parcel  of  yelping 
curs  for  no  other  ufe  than  to  eat  the  poor's 
bread,  bite  horfes  heels,  worry  fheep,  run 
mad,   &c. 

And  fince  we  cannot  defend  ourfelves, 
and  reft  fecurely  at  home,  without  a  re- 
fpedable  Handing  army,  and  fince  that  ar- 
my cannot  be  raifed  nor  paid  without  mo- 
ney, and  money  cannot  be  raifed  without 
taxes,  let  them  be  levied  upon  fuch  fuper- 
fiuous  articles,  as  reafon  clearly  {hews  is 
mofl  for  the  public  good. 

Was  this  ad  to  pafs,  and  each  dog  to  pay 
five  fhillings  a  year,  there  is  no  doubt  but 
this  would  raile  a  lund  of  at  leaft  125,000]. 
fieri,  a  year,  which  tho'  very  confiderable,  is 
nothing  ia  con.parifon  of  the  great  faving, 

which 


^6         A     NEW     SYSTEM 

which  could  not  be  lefs  than  half  a  millioB 
of  pounds  fterling  per  annum.  Any  faving 
plan  inforced  by  an  acH:  of  alTcmbly,  is  in- 
difputably  as  beneficial  to  the  public,  and 
refleds  as  much  honor  upon  the  member 
that  promotes  it,  as  one  that  brings  in  mo-r 
ney  to  the  public  funds ;  and  fuch  a  dog-at^ 
would  be  found  to  do  both. 


CHAP, 


OF     HUSBANDRY.  67 


CHAP.     XIV, 


Upon  limiting  the  Size  of  Farms, 


IF  an  adl  of  Affembly  vais  to  pais,  m  or- 
der to  put  a  flop  to  the  monopolizing  of 
land,  it  would  doubtlefs  have  a  great  tenden- 
cy towards  making  improvements  flourilh, 
and  plenty  abound  throughout  America. 

It  would  then  be  in  the  power  of  every 
©ne,  to  make  the  mod  of  his  ground ;  no 
corner  of  it  could  elcape  his  eye,  and  lie 
barren.  He  would  improve  every  part,  and 
fill  it  with  one  profitable  crop  or  other. 

It  is  the  nature  of  man  in  all  ftations  of 
life  to  be  afpiring,  and  very  often  to  grafp 
at  what  he  is  not  well  able  to  manage. 

But  in  no  cafe  is  the  misfortune  more  fen- 
fibly  felt,  both  by  the  party  concerned,  and 
by  the  public  in  general,  than  when  a  far- 
mer holds  too  much  land. 

But 


68  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

But  fuppofe  the  farmer  can  ftruggle  thro'' 
and  pay  the  rent ;  or  on  the  other  hand  let 
the  land  lay  uncleared  ;  yet  the  public  is 
ftill  a  lofer  ;  as  the  earth  does  not  produce 
half  the  increafc  fhe  would  do,  were  (he 
managed  to  the  height  of  perfection. 

Areftraining  ad  would  lay  the  foundation 
for  plenty  ;  and  only  fuch  that  can  make 
the  people  happy  and  honed. 

May  we  not  compare  a  kingdom  to  a  fa- 
mily ?  Is  it  not  the  firft  care  of  a  mafter  to 
provide  bread  for  his  family  ?  If  he  ncgleds 
this,  can  he  exped  that  his  fervants  will  be 
honeft  and  induftrious  ? 

Is  not  the  legiQators  the  fathers  of  the" 
people  ?  Are  they  not  impowered  to  enad 
fuch  laws  as  may  appear  to  them  to  be  moll 
for  the  public  good  ?  Is  there  any  that 
ought  to  draw  their  attention,  before  fuch 
as  would  fatisfy  the  firft  law  of  nature  ? — 
Hunger  will  break  through  ftone-walls. 

Wherein  is  the  good  of  all  laws  which 
ever  have  been  enaded  in  England  to  pre- 
vent foreftaUing  ?  Do  they  fatisfy  the  pco  • 
pie's  craving  appetite  with  bread  ;  or  make 
it  one  jot  cheaper  ?  Do  they  add  one  peck 
of  corn  to  the  mill,  or  tend  towards  making 
one  blade  of  corn  more  grow. 


It 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         ^9 

It  is  inconfiftent  with  reafon  they  fhould. 
In  fhort,  werethefe  laws  put  in  force,  they 
would  have  the  contrary  efteft ;  becaufe  they 
would  cramp  trade,  which,  like  water,  is 
the  beft  leveller. 

What  would  London  and  all  great  fea- 
ports  do,  were  it  not  for  the  corn-fadors, 
wholefaJe  butchers,  drovers  or  dealers  in 
cattle,  SccP  It  is  fuch  as  thefe  that  keep  an 
equality  in  prices  throughout  the  kingdom. 
They  buy  where  fuch  commodities  are  low, 
and  fell  where  they  are  high.  Is  it  to  be 
fuppofed  that  a  farmer  of  grazier,  who  has 
perhaps  no  more  than  twenty  quarters  of 
corn,  or  three  or  four  fat  cattle  to  fell,  and 
who  lives  a  hundred  miles  from  London, 
could  go  there  to  fell  them  ?  And  fuppofe 
he  did,  mufl  he  not  lay  a  greater  price  up- 
on them,  to  anfwer  fuch  extraordinary  ex- 
pences  ?  And  would  not  this  moft  fenfibly 
effed  the  lower  clafs  of  people  P 

A  merchant  who  deals  largely  in  any  fuch 
commodities,  certainly  can  afford  to  fell 
lower  in  price,  than  he  who  muft  be  at  the 
fame  expence  in  attending  the  markets  with 
a  trifle. 

The  merchant's  warchoufe  may  juftly  be 
called  a  magazine  for  the  poor,  where  they 
can  apply  for  fuch  neceflaries  as  they  fland 

irk 

Vol.  II.  K 


70  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

in  need  of.  Neither  have  the  poor  caih  or 
means  to  provide  long  before  fuch  things 
are  wanted. 

It  is  the  merchant's  intcreil  to  lay  in  his 
commodities  in  the  time  of  plenty,  and  to 
Sellout  in  time  of fcarcity.  Is  not  this  a 
natural  policy,  that  will  keep  things  moll 
upon  an  equality?  Was  not  this  the  cafe 
with  Jofeph  ?  He  filled  his  ftores  in  the  time 
of  plenty,  and  fold  when  they  grew  fcarce, 
for  he  did  not  give  any  more  than  our 
merchants  do. 

Moil  of  the  commodities  neceffary  for  life 
are  pcrifhablc,  therefore  under  a  ncceflity 
of  being  difpofcd  of  before  they  fpoil. 
Should  any  one  be  fo  fiily  or  indifcreet,  as 
to  keep  them  too  long,  he  is  punifhed  by 
his  own  folly ;  but  this  very  leldom  hap- 
pens. 

The  merchant  with  a  capital  and  ware- 
houfc  proper  for  the  occafion,  is  a  ready 
mai  ket  for  the  farmer  to  fly  to,  for  the  fale 
of  his  crops.  Had  he  not  fuch  a  rcfource, 
he  would  be  deterred  from  fowing,  which 
would  be  the  firll  ilep  towards  a  famine. 

Thefe  are  all  confcquences  which  mull 
naturally  happen,  were  the  acls  to  prevent 
forellalling  put  in  force.  For  every  perfon 
that  buys  before  the  goods  arc  brought  to 
market,  is  in  reality  a  foreflalier. 

I  remember 


OF     HUSBANDRY.  71 

I  reniember  reading  many  hints  in  the 
news-papers,  relating  to  fat  cattle  being  re- 
turned from  the  markets  in  London  to  the 
■country  unfold  ;  and  at  the  fame  time  wilh- 
ing  for  fuch  laws  as  would  enforce  them  to 
be  fold,  and  not  returned. 

Certainly  fuch  authors  judge  as  fuperfici- 
ally  of  thofe  matters,  as  the  old-faihioned 
farmer,  who  for  a  year  or  two  paft,  has 
ftuffed  the  papers  with  his  filiy  arguments, 
wherein  he  takes  upon  himfelf  to  prove  to 
the  public,  that  it  was  the  inciohng  of  com- 
mons, together  with  turnip -hulbandry, 
which  was  the  caufe  of  the  dearncfs  of  pro - 
vifions  in  England. 

In  one  of  his  letters  about  Martinmas., 
he  thanked  Providence  for  a  mif-crop  of 
turnips.  For  fays  he,  as  this  crop  has  fail- 
ed, farmers  are  obliged  to  bring  their  flieep 
and  cattle  to  market ;  which  has  lowered 
butchers  m.eat  gi-eatly.  But.  perhaps  he  is 
one  of  the  ti-ibe  of  fleepers,  which  only 
want  food  one  half  of  the  year  ;  the  other 
they  live  in  aftate  ofinfenfibility  without  it. 
His  fhort- fighted  und*-rftanding  could  not 
find  out  what  would  be  the  confequence ; 
that  the  more  they  killed  in  autumn,  the 
fewerremamcd  for  flaughier  in  the  fprmg.; 
that  we  cannot  both  eat  our  cake^  and  have 
it. 

Tliat 


72  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

That  when  wintcr-tbod  falls  Ihort,  (of 
which  turnips  are  the  be'A)  the  cattle  mull 
walk  to  the  market  with  their  bones  half 
loaded  with  fleili ;  confequcntly  ths  poor 
mull  go  with  half  a  belly  full. 

The  old  fafhioned  farmer's  reafcning  up- 
on the  Inclofing  of  commons,  is  much  the 
fame,  for  he  does  not  lee  the  many  thoufand- 
acres  in  the  kingdom,  which  in  then-  wild 
Hate  will  not  keep  a  rabbit  on  an  acre , 
wherea?,  if  inclofed  and  improved,  they 
might  be  made  to  keep  four  or  five  fhccp 
per  acre.  And  certainly  the  more  live  Hock 
there  is  bred  in  the  kingdom,  the  greater 
chance  vvc  have  for  plenty;  bccaufe  in  the 
end,  they  mull  come  to  the  butcher,  ex- 
cept turnips  and  other  winter  food  fail.  Then 
indeed  the  cattle  may  die  for  want,  and  the 
poor  may  kw  up  their  mouths.  There  has 
been  many  acls  palled  in  England  to  prevent 
furell ailing,  hut  fcarce  any  put  in  force. 

I  mention  thefe  hints  that  America  may 
by  Inch  experience  keep  from  enacting  any 
fuch  rcJlraining  i.iws,  hut  leave  trade  open 
and  the  indullry  of  iv/dn  will  keep  it  level. 

It  is  pail  a  contradidion,  that  the  more 
walle  barren  lands  there  is  inclofed  and  im- 
proved, the  more  Hock  and  corn  it  will  raife; 
all  which  tends  to  plenty  ;  becaufe  cxcvy 
article  that  keeps  nati:re  alive,  Iprings  from 

the 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  73 

the  earth ;  confequcntly  it  ought  to  be  our 
iirrt  care  to  make  her  produce  abundance. 

But  to  return  to  the  farmers,  faleimen 
and  butchers  ;  (thefe  are  reprefented  as  un- 
merciful men  by  authors  in  the  news-papers 
who  want  fome  laws  to  make  them  kill  the 
cattle  when  brought  to  market,  whether  it 
can  be  confumed  or  not.)  1  humbly  con- 
ceive fuch  laws  would  be  very  pernicious, 
and  put  a  flop  to  the  balance  of  trade,- 
which  inltead  of  going  on  fmooth  and  even, 
would  be  continually  upon  a  flux  and  re- 
flux. It  Vs^ould  be  like  a  weigh-pole,  which 
children  ride  upon,  always  up  and  down, 
rifing  and  falling  ;  becaufe  fome  weeks  there 
would  be  twice  as  much  cattle  in  the  mar- 
ket as  is  necefl'ary  for  the  inhabitants  to 
confume ;  therefore  the  meat  v/ould  be 
fold  very  low,  or  thrown  away,  and  per- 
haps both. 

The  next  market-day,  there  might  not  be 
lialf  the  quantity  of  cattle  as  was  wanted, 
confequently  the  meat  would  be  double  the 
price.  In  this  cafe  the  rich  could  buy,  but 
the  poor  might  flarve. 

Experience  fhews  the  butchers,  not  only 
in  London,  but  all  over  the  world,  how 
much  meat  each  market  will  take  off. 

Each  one  knows  what  he  killed  lafl:  week, 
which  was  perhaps  as  much,  or  more  than 

he 


74  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

he   could   fell ;    therefore  he    will   kill   no 
more  left  it  Ihould  lie  on  his  hands. 

Before  fuch  laws  Ihould  take  place,  it 
would  be  neceflary  that  the  farmers  Ihould 
be  endowed  with  the  fpirit  of  prophecy  or 
fore-knowledge  ;  that  he  in  the  north  might 
know  on  what  day  he  in  the  fouth,  at  feve- 
ral  hundred  miles  diflance,  would  fend  his 
cattle  to  the  market,  left  they  fhould  clalh. 
with  each  other,  and  over-flock  it. 

In  fhort,  I  am  of  opinion,  that  it  is  as  ne- 
celTary  to  fend  cattle  out  of  the  market, 
when  over-ftocked,  as  to  bring  them  to  it 
when  fcarce ;  confequently  the  drawing 
farms  near  London,  or  any  other  great  mar- 
ket towns  are  very  ufeful,  and  may  be  con- 
fideied  as  a  fort  of  make-weight,  ready  to 
throw  into  the  rifing  fcale,  to  keep  a  ba- 
lance. 

There  is  another  fet  of  people,  who  ex- 
claim againft  farmers  for  with-holding  their 
cattle  from  the  market ;  as  if  that  contri- 
buted to  the  dearnefs  of  provifions. 

But  thefe  notions,  like  the  reft,  are  ill 
grounded.  Every  one  that  judges  of  things 
rightly,  muft  know,  that  it  is  not  the  huC- 
bandman's  intereft  to  keep  back  from  mar- 
ket his  cattle,  after  they  are  once  fat  ;  for 
when  they  come  to  the  height  of  perfci^^ion 
all  the  food  they  eat  is  thrown  away  ;  and 

the 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         7; 

the  intereft  of  the  money  is  finking.  It  is 
the  intereft  of  every  one  in  trade  to  make  as 
quick  a  return  as  pofTible ;  therefore  it  is 
plain  that  it  is  the  graziers  intereft  to  fend 
their  cattle  to  market  as  foon  as  they  are 
fat. 

And  on  the  other  hand,  the  'public  can 
lofe  nothing  by  the  cattle  being  kept  away 
from  the  market  till  they  are  fat ;  becaufe 
every  pound  they  gain  in  weight  is  adding 
to  the  public  fund  of  plenty ;  the  more 
pounds  a  bullock  gains  in  weight,  whilft  he 
ftays  from  the  market,  confequently  the 
more  bellies  he  will  fill  when  he  arrives 
and  is  fold. 

Upon  the  whole  it  is  bad  policy  to  cramp 
trade  in  any  branch,  much  more  in  that 
which  concerns  the  craving  of  nature. 

The  moft  prudent  ftep  would  be  to  lay  a 
foundation  for  plenty,  and  there  is  no  doubt 
but  that  nature  will  produce  enough  to  fa- 
tisfy  her  dependents.  As  to  things  being 
dear,  it  is  a  natural  caufe,  which  arifes  from 
money  being  more  plentiful,  and  from  an 
increafe  of  inhabitants;  and  not  from  any 
real  want,  or  decreafe  of  the  ufual  market 
provifions. 

It  is  not  improbable  but  that  in  procefs  of 
time,  wheat  may  rife  to  five  fhiilings  a  peck, 
by  gradual  fteps,  for  the  fame  reaibn   as  it 

has 


76  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

has  rofe  from  one  penny  to  fixtccn  pence  3 
peck  flerling ;  and  every  other  commodity 
in  proportion. 


CHAP. 


OF     HUSBANDRY.  77 


CHAP.     XV. 


On  the  great  Advantage  that  might  acme 
from  Rabbit  War r ens  in  America, 


IN  my  travels  and  obfervations  through  a 
great  many  parts  of  America  I  find  ma- 
ny fpots  of  land,  particularly  adapted, 
and  proper  for  rabbits,  and  am  much  fur- 
prifed  fo  profitable  a  flock  fhould  cfcape  the 
iarmers  attention  fo  long,  but  it  m.uft  cer- 
tainly be  for  want  of  knowing  their  value  or 
how  to  flock  or  manage  a  warren. 

The  perfection  and  utility  of  a  rabbit  war-" 
ren  are  many,  lirll  they  produce  a  whole- 
fome  delicious  food  all  the  year  round,  for 
the  ufe  of  mankind. 

Secondly,  their  down  or  fur  are  valuable 
for  the  hat  manufadory,  and  of  late  years 
fells  high. 

Thirdly, 
Vol.  n.  L 


78  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

Thirdly,  the  capital  for  Hocking  a  war- 
ren is  a  tri.ile. 

Fourthly,  poor  land  that  is  fcare  fit  for 
any  thing  elfe  will  do  for  them. 

Fifthly,  they  are  eafy  managed  and  as 
cafy  fed. 

The  rabbit  generally  breeds  every  month 
in  tl^e  ycar»  and  will  bring  forth  from  four 
to  ten  at  a  kenneling  or  litter,  confequently 
their  increafe  is  prodigious.  The  doe  no 
fooner  kennels  (as  it  is  called)  butfhe  runs 
immediately  to  the  buck,  who  ftjikes  her 
(a  term  lor  copulation)  and  that  day  month 
Ihe  brings  forth  again. 

When  the  doe  wants  to  kennel  fhc  goes 
to  a  diftance,  makes  a  hole  in  the  earth,  and 
therein  kennels;  fhe  makes  up  the  door  (as 
it  were)  by  covering  the  mouth  of  the  hole 
with  fand,  this  is  to  prevent  the  buck  from 
finding  them  while  young,  for  if  he  docs  he 
is  iure  to  kill  them. 

Being  fo  great  breeders  a  few  couple  will 
flock  a  large  warren  in  a  year  or  two,  when 
a  warren  amounts  to  a  thoufand  couple  it  is 
Vv(;rth  a  hundred  pounds  fterling  a  year  clear 
profit,  befides  iulTicientto  increafe  the  Hock 
twenty  or  thirty  pounds  a  year  ;  there  are 
many  forts  of  rabbits,  but  the  beft  to  ftock 
a  warren  with  is  the  grey  colour,  black, 
,  wliite  orfpottedare  what  is  generally  called 

the 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  79 

the  tame  rabbit,  which  is  not  fo  good  in  the 
field  breed. 

Rabbits  delight  much  in  a  high  fandy  land, 
and  if  it  be  fo  poor  that  nothing  elfe  will  live 
on  it,  it  is  the  better  for  them,  forbad  they 
good  ground  and  much  grafs  they  would 
over  eat  themfelves,  and  always  be  poor, 
being  a  very  ravenous  animal,  which  is  the 
reafon  that  they  are  fateft  in  froft  and  fnow, 
when  little  meat  is  to  be  got,  though  little 
meat  will  do,  yet  when  a  fnow  covers  the 
ground  they  mud  be  fed,  either  by  fcattcr- 
ing  bits  of  hay  over  the  warren,  or  branch- 
es of  trees,  and  lirewing  them  over  the 
ground,  the  bark  of  which  they  are  very 
fond  of. 

The  method  to  flock  a  warren  is,  before 
you  turn  the  rabbits  out,  throw  up  little 
ditches  acrofs  the  warren,  from  eaft  to  weft, 
fo  that  the  face  of  the  bank  may  front  the 
fun,  and  as  many  couple  of  rabbits  as  you 
intend  to  turn  out,  make  fo  many  holes 
with  a  fpade  as  far  as  you  can  reach,  run- 
ning them  horizontally  rather  inclining 
downwards;  in  the  evening  put  a  couple  in- 
to each  hole  and  before  morning  they  will 
dig  them  deeper,  and  as  they  increale  will 
make  frelh  holes  according  to  the  increafe 
of  numbers. 

Tlier.c 


So  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

There  arc  two  methods  ufed  to  take  then* 
when  wanted  for  market;  one  is  with  a  fer- 
rit  and  a  purfe  net;  the  method  is  to  muz- 
zle the  ferrit  and  turn  him  into  the  holes, 
and  lay  the  nets  over  all  the  mouths  of  the 
holes  thereabouts;  when  the  ferrit  comes 
at  the  rabbit  and  fcratches  it,  which  makes 
it  immediately  bolt  out,  and  is  entang- 
led m  the  net,  the  man  who  ftands  ready 
and  without  making  any  noife,  immediately 
feizes  the  rabbit  and  breaks  its  neck,  ex- 
cept it  be  a  doe  with  young,  then  he  lets 
her  go.  The  purfe  net  is  made  much  like 
a  cabbage  net,  only  wider  at  the  mouth, 
perhaps  about  two  feet  over,  it  is  made  of 
of  common  pack-thread. 

The  next  method  to  take  them  is,  with  a 
long  net  about  a  yard  wide,  and  long  enough 
to  reach  acrofs  the  out-lkirts  of  one  fide  of 
the  warren  ;  this  net  is  to  take  out  layers 
or  Rragg'ers  ;  it  is  fet  up  with  little  forked 
flicks  ituck  in  the  ground,  the  upper  part 
of  the  net  is  hung  on  the  fork,  and  the  un- 
der part  lays  loofe  on  the  ground;  the  net  is 
fet  about  an  hour  or  two  after  dark,  in  or- 
der to  give  the  rabbits  time  to  go  abroad,  be- 
ing thus  fet,  and  at  the  out  fide  of  all  the 
holes  the  man  goes  with  two  or  three  little 
dogs  and  hunts  the  rabbits,  which  makes 
for  the  holes,  bur  the  net  being  in  the  way 

they 


OF     HUSBANDRY.  Si 

they  bolt  againft  it  and  are  entangled, 
which  gives  the  man  an  opportunity  to  take 
them. 

There  is  not  ten  miles  between  New- York 
and  Virginia,  but  what  there  is  a  proper  fpot 
of  land  for  a  rabbit  warren,  fuch  as  is  Tan- 
dy, hilly,  and  wore  out  or  impoverifhed 
not  being  fit  for  other  ftock  or  any  crop. 
And  1  need  not  fay  of  what  utility  it  would 
be  to  individuals  to  have  fuch  a  fund  of 
plenty  difperfed  over  the  country,  and  that 
raifed  from  the  worft  land. 


CHAP. 


%t        A    NEW     SYSTEM 


CHAP.     XVI. 


How  to  fet  Potatoes  in   Drills  with  the 
Plough. 


TAKE  any  poor  worn-out  flubble-Iand 
which  may  be  intended  for  fallow  j 
plough  it  in  autumn  in  two  furrow  ridges  ; 
that  IS,  lay  two  furrows  back  to  back,  thro' 
the  piece  you  intend  for  potatoes. 

By  doing  this  it  will  lie  dry  all  winter ; 
and  in  the  beginning  of  March  (or  iooner, 
if  the  weather  permit)  harrow  it  acrofs, 
and  it  will  fill  all  the  furrows  level ;  after 
which  plough  it,  either  acrols  or  length- 
wile,  no  matter  which,  provided  the  land 
be  all  cut  and  turned  up  ;  then  again  har- 
row it  well  and  fine  ;  and  juil  before  you 
intend  to  plant  potatoes,  plough  it  again 

into 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  S^ 

into  two  furrow-ridges,  lying  back  to  back, 
lb  that  they  muft  dole  at  the  top;  but  not 
fo  as  to  let  any  mold  fall  into  the  oppofite 
furrow. 

Being  thus  laid  in  ridges,  and  the  fur- 
rows all  open,  in  every  furrow  fet  a  row  of 
potatoes,  each  about  the  length  of  a  man's 
foot  afunder  ;  then  take  the  dunging-bafkets 
and  drop  a  piece  of  dung,  about  the  fize  of 
your  fift  upon  each  potatoe ;  by  this  me- 
thod a  little  dung  will  go  a  great  way,  and 
a  few  hands  will  fct  a  great  deal  in  a  day. 

When  thus  fet  and  dufiged,  go  with  the 
plough  and  fplit  the  ridge  in  two  ;  fo  that 
what  was  the  furrow,  will  now  be  the  ridge, 
and  the  ridge  will  be  over  the  potatoes ;  fo 
that  they  will  come  up  in  rows  throuv^h  the 
middle  thereof. 

In  fummer  you  may  go  with  the  plough 
up  and  down  every  drill,  to  cut  the  weeds 
and  earth  up  the  potatoes. 

By  this  method  it  may  be  well  termed  a 
potatoe -fallow,  as  it  may  be  ploughed  always 
when  the  weeds  grow. 

.  In  taking  them  up,  go  with  a  plough,  and 
turn  the  whole  drill  over  ;  by  which  means 
all,  or  moft  of  the  potatoes  will  appear 
above  ground,  and  be  eafily  gathered  ;  but 
if  a  Imall  part  of  them  remam  ungathered, 
they  will  all  be  found  by  harrowing,  or  the 
uext  plough inr^.  This 


S4  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

This  is  a  very  expeditious  way,  both  in 
fctting  and  taking  up  ,  and  it  ought  to  be 
every  man's  ftudy  to  work  his  land  with  as 
little  exi:)ence  as  poflible. 

The  next  cafy  way  to  fet  potatoes  with 
plough  is  in  grafs-land,  viz. 

Harrow  the  fod  well,  both  length  and 
croiTvvife,  to  fcratch,  wound  and  mangle 
the  grafs-roots,  in  order  to  fct  them  a  rot- 
ting ;  which  they  will  do  fpeedily  when 
turned  up. 

Then  begin  and  plough  a  furrow  eight 
inches  broad  ;  in  this  fet  a  row  of  potatoes 
a  foot-lengdi  alunder  ;  and  on  every  pota- 
toe  drop  a  lump  of  dung,  about  the  bignefs 
of  a  man's  fill ;  then  plough  two  furrows, 
and  in  the  third  fet  another  row ;  fo  that 
there  will  be  a  furrow  between  every  two 
rows  or  drills  through  the  piece.  When  it 
is  all  fet  harrow  it  well  ;  but  take  care  not 
to  turn  up  or  diforder  the  fods. 

When  the  potatoes  are  come  up  a  little 
above  ground,  go  with  a  plough  up  and 
down  every  drill,  and  lay  the  loofe  mold, 
with  the  harrow  raifed,  to  the  ftem  of  the 
potatoes  ;  but  be  careful  not  to  diilurb  the 
fod.  When  they  are  taking  up,  turn  the 
drill  or  furrow  with  the  plough ;  by  which 
means  they  are  eafily  gathered. 

The 


OF     HUSBANDRY.  g^ 

The  third  method  of  planting  potatoes^ 
is  with  fpadcs,  as  they  do  in  Chelhire. 

They  dig  all  the  ground,  and  bury  the 
dung  about  four  inches  deep ;  as  if  they 
were  trenching  in  a  garden ;  after  which 
they  go  with  fctting  flicks,  make  a  hole, 
and  drop  the  potatoe  in  j  then  they  rake 
the  ground  to  fill  the  holes. 

They  are  dug  up  with  fj^ades  alio  ;  but 
this  is  expenfive  in  comparifcn  of  letting 
with  the  plough. 

However  they  take  care  not  to  bury  the 
dung  too  deep  ;  as  alfo  ilot  to  throw  up 
any  bad  earth  to  fpoil  the  land,  which  is 
fco  often  the  cafe  inh'cland. 


Vol.  li.  U  CHAP. 


%6  A    NEW    SYSTEM 


CHAP.    xvir. 


Remarks  onfetting  Potatoes  is)uh  the  Plough, 


IVJ.  Ethinks,  I  fe^  my  brother  farmer  turn 
hither  in  great  hurry,  to  fee  my  realon  for 
advifing  him  to  fct  his  potatoes  with  the 
plough;  and  not  to  keep  him  long  in  lufpencc 
I  plainly  tell  him,  that  it  faves  both  men, 
money,  and  dung,  befides  improving  his 
land.  Thefe  are  confiderations  well  worth 
his  attention. 

Firil,  it  faves  men;  as  one  man  and  two 
horfes,  and  five  or  fix  boys,  will  fet  as  ma- 
ny potatoes  in  a  day  with  the  plough,  as  fe- 
venty  or  eighty  men  could  let  with  Ipades. 

Secondly,  it  faves  dung  ;  as  one  load  will 
go  as  far  as  four. 

Thirdly,  none  of  the  dung  is  loft  by  be- 
ing buried  in  the  trenches;  which  is  evideni- 

ly 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  87 

ly  th€  cafe  when  trenched  in  the  old  Iridi 
method ;  as  a  lump  is  dropped  upon  every 
potatoe. 

Fourthly,  potatoes  got  thus,  are  nearly 
clear  gains,  as  they  may  be  Town  upon  land 
that  is  intended  for  fummer-fallow,  and  fuch 
land  will  ablblutely  receive  more  benetit 
from  this  potatoe-f allow,  than  if  norhing  had 
grown;  for  what  withhoeing with  the  pbugh, 
and  what  with  the  tops  fmothering  the 
weeds,  &cc.  the  groimd  is  made  clean  and 
mellow,  and  in  tine  order  for  a  wheat-crop 
at  Michaelmas. 

And  there  can  be  no  di (appointment,  as 
potatoes  can  be  ploughed  up  i-peedily. 

All  thele  realons,  i  hope  wiii  prevail  up- 
on the  farmers,  or  people  in  general,  to 
follow  this  cheap  and  eaiy  method;  as  no- 
thing concerns  a  farmer  fo  much,  as  woric- 
ing  his  land  with  the  greateil  diipatch,  and 
the  leaR  expence  that  reafon  can  devife. 

As  I  have  travelled  between  England  and 
Ireland,  for  near  twenty  years  pail,  1  have 
had  an  opportunity  to  remark  how  the  dif- 
ferent markets  ruled  in  the  two  kingdoms ; 
and  I  always  found  that  in  the  cities  ot  York, 
Lincoln,  and  in  large  towns,  ibcli  as  Leeds, 
Wakefield,  Doncallcr,  Sheilield.  and  in 
fliort  all  over  England,  v/hcre  it  is  cuiloma- 
ry  to  fe  •  the  potatoes  with  the  plough,  they 
always  fell  lower  than  in  h-cland.  This 


n  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

This  fiR  is  inconteftable  ;  altho'  it  is  well 
known,  that,  in  thefe  places,  land  is  higher 
and  fo  is  labour  of  more  value. 

This  (hews  they  mud  have  a  cheaper  and 
cafier  way  of  coming  at  them,  or  they  could 
not  be  afforded  at  a  lower  rate.  Further, 
the  method  of  fctting  with  the  plougli  is  fo 
cafy,  that  a  man  may  teach  in  an  hour  as 
many  people  as  could  look  at  him. 

The  Expcncc  and  Profit  of  an  acre  of  Po- 
tatoeSy  raifed  by  the  Plough,  as  diredled 
under  that  Artlclp. 

1.     s.     d. 

To  twenty  quarters  of  potatoes, 

at  9s.  per,  or  forty  ftone      -900 


To  three  ploughings,  at  2s.  6d. 
each  if  with  one  man  and  two 
horfes  -  -  -  076 

To  two  harrowings  -  026 

To  one    quarter  of  potatoes  for 

feed,  at  9s.  per  -  -090 

To  fix  loads  of  dung,  at   2s.  per  012     o 

III       o 
Brought 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         89 

Brought  over  -  -  i    1 1     o 

To  fix  boys  or  girls,  each  at  4d. 

per  day         -         -         -  020 

To  two  men,  to  fee  they  be  right- 
ly fet,  and  to  help  to  lay  the 
dung  -  -      '  018 

To   three  times  hoeing  with  the 

plough      -         -         -         -060 
To  ploughing  up  -  026 

To    eight  boys    or  girls,    at  4d. 

each  -  -  028 

To  carriage  home        -         -         020 
To  land-rent  -  -  0150 


Total  expence     324 
Clear  profit         ^17     S 


CHAP. 


po  A    NEW    SYSTEM 


CHAP.  XVIII. 


Remarks  and  Illujirations  on  the  foregoing 
'Table  on  potatoes  Jet  with  the  plough. 


IN  order  to  encourage  the  farmer  to  fall 
into  this  valuable  piece  of  hulbandry,  I 
have  allowed  him  in  the  foregoing  table,  to 
be  well  paid  for  his  trouble ;  and  yet  he  fees 
the  profit  amounts  to  upwards  of  five  pounds 
feventeen  fhillings  an  acre. 

Were  I  to  be  very  minute,  the  profit 
would  be  much  more  ;  I  have  very  often 
known  from  fifteen  to  twenty  pounds  made 
on  an  acre. 

If  I  was  to  do  ftri(^  juftice  to  this  valua- 
ble crop,  it  fhould  not  be  charged,  cither 
with  rent,  ploughing  or  dung  ;  as  it  is  part 
contradi(flion,  that  the  land,  after  this  would 

be 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         91 

be  better  for  a  crop  of  wheat,  the  fiicceed- 
ing  year,  than  if  it  had  been  fallowed  in  the 
common  way. 

It  is  alfo  .  to  be  obfervcd,  that  I  have 
charged  the  potatoes  only  at  nine  {hillings 
a  quarter,  which  often  fell  for  much  more, 

Thefe  are  all  plain  and  impartial  reafons; 
and  I  hope  will  encourage  the  farmer  ta 
purfue  this  valuable  method. 

There  are  a  great  many  parts  of  England 
that  follow  this  method  ;  therefore  luch  may 
overlook  this  chapter,  and  leave  it  for  thofc 
that  know  nothing  of  it ;  which  are  a  great 
many  parts  both  of  England,  hxland,  Scot- 
land and  Wales  ;  fo  excufe  me  if  in  other 
cafes  I  mention  fometimes  what  is  known  to 
fomc  farmers,  as  it  may  be  Ilrange  to  odiera. 


CHAP. 


92  A    NEW    SYSTEM 


CHAP.    XIX. 


On  fetting  Potatoes,  as  in  Ireland,  on  Ridges 
by  Trenching. 


THE  Irifli  method  of  fetring  potatoes, 
is  in  fome  cafes  very  ufefnl,  and  the 
chcapeft  of  all  others,  except  the  plough  ; 
and  would  be  much  more  valuable  in  all 
cafes,  if  they  were  cautious  no  to  make  the 
trenches  too  deep. 

It  is  a  very  eaiy  method  and  quick:  too  ; 
becaufe  not  above  one-fourth  of  the  ground 
is  dug  ;  and  few  farmers  ha\  e  fields  or  clofes 
but  what  have  wafte  corners,  where  the 
plough  cannot  come  ;  as  alio  backs  of  ditch- 
es, hic.  which  if  he  lays  on  a  good  coat  of 
manure,  he  may  fet  potatoes  in,  and  when 
they  are  dug  up,  it  will  make  good  compoll 
for  his  land. 

It 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  ()2 

It  is  alfo  a  good  method  to  break  up 
tough,  ftubborn,  rooty  or  rocky  land  : — 
becaufe  this  is  a  quick  method  of  working 
it,  and  the  crop  will  meliorate  it  to  that  de- 
gree, that  it  may  be  ploughed  the  year  fol- 
lowing with  eafe :  as  to  the  executing  of 
this  method,  nothing  is  more  eahly  learned, 
viz. 

When  you  have  fixed  upon  a  piece  of 
land  for  this  purpofc,  you  mull  lay  out 
your  ridges  in  breadth  according  to  the 
depth  of  your  foil :  that  is,  if  the  foil  be 
fhallow,  make  your  ridges  about  four  feet 
broad,  and  the  trench  about  two  feet  and  a 
half  wide. 

This  is  in  order  that  you  may  raife  eaith 
enough  to  cover  the  potatoes,  without  en- 
tering upon  a  dead  poor  foil. 

But  if  your  under  ftratum  be  good,  you 
make  the  trenches  deep  and  narrow,  which 
will  fave  land. 

Sometimes  it  happens  that  a  rich  earth, 
or  even  a  kind  of  manure  lies  within  the 
reach  of  this  trenching  :  when  this  happens 
it  is  a  treafure. 

Cover  your  potatoes  about  four  folid 
inches  thick  : — ^being  thus  learned  and  de- 
termined as  to  the  depth  and  breadth  of  the 
ridge,  you  muft  ftretch  a  line  and  cut  it  out, 
then  fpread  your  manure  ftraight  and  even 

Vol.  II.  N  on 


9+ 


A    NEW    SYSTEM 


on  the  ridge,  leaving  the  breadth  of  the 
trench  without  any. 

i\itcr  this  lay  on  your  potatoes  at  about 
nine  inches  from  each  other  :  then  dig  the 
trench,  and  turn  the  firll  Ind-grafs  down- 
wai'ds  cloic  to  the  edge  of  the  ridge :  and 
\\  hat  the  i^od  does  not  meet  to  cover,  finilh 
covering  it  widi  the  fecond  fpit  •  but  leave 
the  ihovellings  at  the  bottom  of  the  trench, 
till  tlie  potatoes  are  ready  to  peep  above  the 
ground  ;  then  fhovel  up  the  loofe  earth, 
and  cover  all  the  ridge  thinly  over. 

This  will  check  the  growth  of  the  top, 
and  cauie  the  potatoes  to  fpread  under 
ground  :  this  is  a  better  way  than  to  finifh 
the  ridge  all  at  the  firft  fctting,  as  iome  will 
do. 

If  you  have  much  old  grafs  or  ruihes, 
&CC.  on  the  ground,  or  that  the  fod  is  tough 
and  likely  to  take  much  time  to  rot :  in  this 
cafe  it  is  better  to  trench  the  ground  in  De- 
cember or  January,  and  in  March  fet  the 
potatoes  :  make  holes  with  the  planting- 
machine  :  but  the  pegs  mufl  be  thicker,  in 
order  to  make  the  holes  wide  enough  to  let 
the  fet  to  the  bottom  :  or  for  want  of  this 
machine,  you  may  take  a  fetting  Hick,  like 
the  {haft  of  a  fpade,  and  fix  crofs-ways  a 
llrong  peg  about  four  inches  from  the  bot- 
tom 


OF     HUSBANDRY.  9  ^ 

torn  :  this  is  to  fet  your  foot  on,  in  order  to 
fmk  the  fetting-ilick  more  ealily. 

Make  the  holes  about  nine  inches  afund- 
der :  in  them  drop  the  potatoes,  but  no 
deeper  than  juil  to  fall  between  the  two  fods: 
for  they  love  to  fpread  along  the  firm  earth: 
rake  or  harrow  to  fill  the  holes,  then  fhovel 
the  trenches  and  finilh  the  riJge. 

Though  rotten  dung  is  doubtlefs  beft, 
yet  if  the  ground  be  trenched  early  enough, 
long  dung  will  make  a  good  Ihift,  and  may 
be  better  u led  in  this  than  any  other  crop, 
as  it  will  have  time  to  rot,  and  will  keep 
the  tvv^o  fods  open,  fo  that  the  potatoes  m.ay 
have  room  to  run  and  fpread  between 
them. 

In  the  county  of  Leitrim,  there  is  a  great 
deal  of  wet  rulhy  land  worth  little  ;  and  [ 
have  feen  very  good  potatoes  in  it,  from  no 
other  manure  than  cutting  the  ruflics,  and 
laying  on  the  ridge,  and  making  it  no  broad- 
er than  the  furrow  or  trench,  fo  that  the 
fods  meet.  They  trench  it  early,  and  make 
the  ridges  only  three  feet  wide. 

However,  if  they  doubt  the  land  will  not 
bring  a  good  crop  thus,  they  may  be  fure 
of  a  good  crop,  if  they  only  give  it  a  thin 
covering  of  either  lime,  marl,  or  Ume  ftonc 
gravel,  along  with  the  rulhes:  but  the  foon- 
er  this  manure  is  laid  on,   (in  order  to  grow 

to 


^6  A     NEW    SYSTEM 

to  the  fod  and  rot)  the  better,  and  the  greater 
certainty  of  a  crop.  Such  land  generally 
gives  a  good  crop  of  bear  or  wheat,  after 
the  potatoes  arc  dug  out. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  ^^ 


CHAP.     XX. 


On  different  Sorts  of  Potatoes. 


THERE  are  various  forts  of  potatoes, 
more  perhaps  than  I  am  acquainted 
with ;  however  the  following  is  a  lilt  of  the 
various  forts  which  I  have  cultivated. 

Firft,  white  ruffeting;  this  is  a  round  po- 
tatoe  with  a  rough  ikin. 

Secondly,  red  ruffeting;  this  is  a  red  round 
potatoe  with  a  rough  ikin. 

Thirdly,    the   large  Iriih   white   fmooth 
potatoe. 

Fourthly,  the  large  round  red  potatoe. 

Fifthly,  the  culgee. 

"Sixthly,  the  early-wife  potatoe. 

Seventhly 


9^  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

Seventhly,  the  white  kidney  potatoc. 

Eighiihly,   the  Jeruialc;-n  potatoc. 

Ninthly,  the  bull's  eye  potatoe. 

The  bull's  eye  is  a  large  red  potatoc, 
which  will  grow  and  yield  a  plentiful  crop 
on  poor  ground ;  but  it  k  a  veiy  bad  eating 
potatoe  :   it  taites  not  much  unlike  a  yam. 

As  they  produce  a  plentiful  crop,  fomc 
gentlemen  low  them  in  Ireland,  and  parti- 
cularly near  Waterford,  and  the  county  of 
Kilkenny,  v/here  they  feed  and  fiaughtcr 
many  fwine  for  exportation. 

The  Jerufalem-potatoe  is  long,  and  full 
of  eyes,  and  is  of  a  great  produce  ;  each  eye 
makes  a  fet;  as  indeed  fo  they  do  in  every 
other  potatoe;  for  the  Irilh  always  cut  them 
infets,  which  is  a  good  way,  though  not 
generally  pra coifed  in  England. 

The  culgee  is  a  very  fweet  eating  potatoe, 
one  fide  is  generally  red:  in  their  growing 
they  do  not  fpread  and  grow  from  itrings, 
like  another  potatoe,  but  Hick  to  the  bot- 
tom of  the  ilalklike  a  bunch  of  grapes,  and 
rife  to  the  furface,  infomuch  that  often  the 
red  lide  will  be  above  ground. 

I  have  had  a  fine  crop  of  them,  they  arc 
very  fond  of  a  well-tilled  foil,  tlicrcfore  the 
drill  method  of  fetting  them  with  the  plough 
in  broken  land  fuits  them  beft. 

The 


OF    HUSBANDRY,  ()() 

The  wife  potatce  is  of  an  early  kind ;  they 
produce  a  fmall  top  but  no  bloffom,  and 
the  top  Vv^ithers  early  ;  they  do  not  grow  ve- 
ry large,  are  of  a  light  red  call  lull  of  eyes  ; 
they  are  of  a  great  increafc,  but  a  great  ma- 
ny of  them  fmall,  they  are  very  ufeful  for 
an  early  crop  ;  as  they  are  dry  and  ready 
for  ufc  two  months  before  others ;  but  it  is 
not  a  good  keeping  potatoe. 

The  large  red  Iriih  potatoe  is  of  a  good 
kind,  and  particularly  on  ftrong  cold  land, 
where  it  thrives  beft  ;  it  grows  large  and 
produces  a  good  plentiful  crop. 

As  the  hilh  poor  eat  potatoes  inftead  of 
bread,  thefe  are  the  beft  of  all  others  for 
that  ufe  ;  they  vrill  tell  you,  that  they  will 
he  longer  than  any  others  on  the  ilomach  ; 
fo  coniequently  are  of  a  found  prm  texture  ; 
their  colour  is  of  a  deep  red,  and  of  a 
round  fhape  ;  they  have  a  grofs  ilrong  ftalk 
or  top. 

The  white- ruffe  ting  is  a  very  pleafant  eat- 
ing potatoe  ;  but  I  do  not  thmk  them  good 
yielders  :  neither  will  they  thrive  well, 
without  rich  v/ell  tilled  land. 

The  red  ruffeting  is  of  a  hardy  fort,  and 
will  grow  almoif  on  any  fort  of  land ;  but 
they  do  not  produce  many  at  a  root :  nei- 
ther are  they  large,  fo  confequently  are  bad 
yielders,  and  not  a  defirable  crop,  where 
other  feed  can  be  got.  The' 


loo         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

The  toad-back  is  nearly  a-kin  to  the  large 
Irilh  potatoe,  only  not  fo  large  :  the  fkin  is 
almoll  black  and  rough  like  a  rulTeting  : — 
this  is  a  found,  dry,  firm,  good  eating  po- 
tatoe :  it  is  fond  of  good  frefh  land,  and 
agrees  very  well  with  the  Iriih  method  of 
fetting  on  lay-land,  as  direded  in  the  chap- 
ter that  treats  thereon. 

The  kidney  (or  by  fome  called  Spanifh) 
potatoe  is  of  an  oblong  fliape,  a  white  co- 
lour, with  a  yellowilh  call :  it  is  a  fweet 
good-eating  potato s ;  but  not  fo  dry,  or 
mealy  as  fome  others,  therefore  not  fo  pro- 
per to  be  ufed  in  the  place  of  bread,  as  is 
the  cafe  in  Ireland)  but  it  is  very  good  to 
be  chopped  up,  and  ufed  as  fauce  to  meat : 
it  is  an  exceeding  good  yielder,  and  by  na- 
ture feeks  its  food  deep  ;  and  therefore  re- 
quires a  good  covering  with  mold  when  fct; 
it  will  thrive  well  on  a  ftrong  deep  foil ;  buC 
requires  to  be  well  tilled. 


UhiBion  of  Horlicultur^j 

L   V.  0.  Bdp't  of  Agriculture,        cHAP. 


'i 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  loi 


CHAP.     XXI. 


T^be  Management  and  TJfe  of  Vetches, 


VETCHES  are  a  very  ufeful  good  crop,' 
and  particularly  for  winter  or  fpring- 
fceding  for  fheep,  or  indeed  other  cattle  -, 
and  what  adds  flill  to  their  value  is  that  they 
want  no  dung  or  manure. 

They  may  be  Town,  and  will  grow  upon 
land  that  lie  ufelefs  all  winter  ;  and  what 
is  more,  they  add  to  the  fertilizing  of  luch 
land  ;  neither  does  a  farmer  pay  one  penny 
more  rent  for  his  crop,  than  he  would  for 
the  Hubble  Handing  on  the  faid  land. 

The  chief  ufe  of  vetches  is  to  fupply  the 
farmer  with  winter-feeding  on  his  flubble- 
lands,  that  would  otherwile  be  wafte,  from 

Vol.  U.  O  the 


loz  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

the  time  the  crop  is  reaped,  which  is  about 
)Sej)tei)"ibcr,  to  Ivlarch  or  April  following  : 
in  iliis  caic  they  are  very  valuable  ;  as  what 
benefits  either  the  land  or  the  farmer  gets  by 
.them  is  clear  gain. 

But  as  ufcivl  as  vetches  are  in  this  cafe, 
they  are  too  inconiiderable  a  crop,  to  ftand 
all  fummer,  and  take  the  year's  rent  upon 
them  ;  except  in  very  poor,  fandy,  or  gra- 
velly land,  which  is  generally  of  a  low  rent. 

The  better  the  land  is  which  they  are  fown 
on  for  the  winter-feeding,  doubtlefs  the  bet- 
ter herbage  they  will  make  ;  alfo  the  fooncr 
they  are  fown  in  autumn,  (fo  as  to  have  as 
much  benefit  of  the  declining  fummer  fun  as 
pofTible)  the  better  and  llronger  your  herb- 
age will  be ;  therefore  the  more  cattle  it  will 
fupport;  and  if  the  land  be  a  rich,  deep, 
fl:rong  loam  or  clay,  it  will  produce  good 
herbage ;  though  it  is  not  proper  for  feed  ; 
bccauie  the  richnefs  of  the  foil  would  force 
it  all  into  ibaw,  but  little  corn. 

The  method  of  thofe  that  would  fow 
vetches  upon  theil*  wafle  flubble  land,  for 
w^inter-feeding  muft  be  this  : 

Take  any  fort  of  land  that  has  been  under 
rap;,  cole-feed,  turnips,  or  any  fort  of  corn, 
and  as  foon  as  the  crop  is  reaped  and  off, 
plough  the  ihibble  under;  begin  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  ridge,  and  raile  it  as  high  as  pof- 

fible 


•      OE     HUSBANDRY.         loj 

fible  with  the  plough,  (by  gathering  or  taking 
it  up)  in  order  that  it  may  lie  as  dry  as  po(- 
fible  all  winter  ;  which  will  add  both  to  the 
goodncfs  of  the  crop,  and  the  cleannefs  of 
the  cattle's  feeding. 

This  done,  fow  your  vetches  at  the  rate 
of  ten  flone  to  the  Englilli  acre ;  then  har- 
row them  in  ;  after  this  water-furrow  and 
gripe-crofs  your  ridges,  in  the  lowed  places 
of  the  land,  leading  to  the  fide  drains  ;  in 
order  to  give  a  ready  pafifage  for  the  winter's 
water  when  it  falls. 

If  they  be  fDwn  at  the  latter  end  of  Au- 
guft,  or  the  beginning  of  September,  you 
may  turn  your  Iheep  in,  about  the  middle 
of  December. 

Eat  them  all  winter,  and  in  the  fpring 
the  land  will  be  in  fine  order  for  oats  or  bar- 
ley. 

Some  chule  to  preferve  their  vetches  till 
fpring,  to  feed  early  lambs  or  weathers  on, 
which  is  very  profitable  :  others  will  eat 
them  all  the  month  of  May,  and  then  give 
the  land  a  couple  of  ploughings,  and  fow  it 
with  turnips  or  rape  at  midfummer  :  this  is 
alfo  a  good  way. 

Others  again  will  fallow  all  furamer,  af- 
ter the  vetches  are  eat  off ;  which  will  great- 
ly enrich  the  land  ;  and  then  fow  wheat  on 

it  in  autumn. 

U 


I04  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

If  you  intend  your  vetches  for  feed  fow 
them  in  Februaiy,  at  rate  of  fix  ftone  to 
the  acre  ;  and  harveft  them  as  peas.  But 
if  they  be  intended  to  plough  in  for  dung, 
(which  is  the  word  way,  as  it  is  better  to 
make  dung  by  eating  them  on  the  ground) 
fow  them  in  March,  at  eight  ftone  to  the 
acre  ;  and  plough  them  in,  when  full  of 
bloObm,  as  direcfted  for  buck-wheat. 

If  you  intend  this  crop  for  fodder,  by 
the  way  of  hay,  they  muft  be  mown  be- 
fore they  are  ripe  ,  that  is,  when  the  ftraw 
is  full  of  juices  and  fap. 

By  taking  them  thus  green,  when  the 
flraw  is  full  of  fap  or  rich  fubftanccs,  the 
grain  does  not  fhake  out ;  and  the  horfes 
eat  llraw  and  corn  all  together ;  which  is 
excellent  fodder 

In  this  cafe  the  hay  muft  be  made  by  the 
fame  method  as  any  other  hay  :  only  by  be- 
ing cut  in  this  Hate,  the  draw  will  be  parti- 
cularly full  of  fap  ;  therefore  you  muft  be 
careful  that  it  neither  rot  nor  mold. 

The  quality  of  vetches  is  fuch,  that  they 
will  grow  almoll  on  any  fort  of  land  ;  if 
they  rtand  for  feed,  poor,  gravelly,  or  light 
fandy  land  fuits  them  bell :  for  indeed  they 
are  moftly  fown  where  nothing  elfe  will 
grow,  and  I  think  they  exceed  any  other 
grafs  or  crop  whatever,  except  turnips  for 

winter 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         105 

winter  feeding,  as  they  fuit  our  climates, 
being  a  native  of  thefe  kingdoms,  and  a 
plant  that  keeps  green  all  winter. 

Indeed  they  are  of  fuch  a  juicy  herbagy 
nature,  that  though  the  feed  ripens,  dries, 
and  fheSs,  yet  the  ftalk  or  ftraw  will  be  a 
green  herbage,  and  full  of  juices,  after  the 
feed  has  deferted  it. 


CHAP. 


io6        A    NEW    SYSTEM 


CHAP.     XXII. 


Explanation  and  Nature  of  different  Sorts  of 
PuJ/e,  fuch  as  Vetch,  ^are.  Lentils,  &c. 


THE  following  multiplicity  of  names, 
confufedly  made  ufc  of  by  authors 
to  convey  the  meaning  of  one  plant,  may 
well  puzzle  or  confound  the  ideas  of  a  far- 
mer, and  fend  him  in  fearch  after  plants, 
corn  or  grain,  of  which  perhaps  he  himfelf 
may  be  already  poflclTed. 

However  it  cannot  be  expected  he  fhould 
have  a  fufficient  library  of  books,  always  at 
hand  to  clear  up  referrences.  It  is  enough 
to  tell  him,  that  though  the  many  following 
names  are  made  ufe  of  in  different  parts  of 
the  two  kingdoms,  yet  vetch  is  a  name  that 
fuits  our  Englilh  tongue  befl,  and  what  may 

be 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         107 

he  underftood  by  every  one  that  underftands 
the  language  :  to  this  name  is  added  fitch, 
fetch,  thetch,  thetches,  fitches,  chick  and 
checkes  :  and  thefc  abfolutely  mean  one 
and  the  fame  thing ;  fome  make  the  word 
of  the  fingnlar,  and  others  the  plural  num- 
ber. 

Moft  people  are  inclined  to  believe  the 
real  name  of  this  pulfe  to  be  vetch ;  but  this 
cannot  be,  as  vetch  is  the  Latin  word  for 
tare,  and  though  the  tare  is  of  the  pulfe-kind 
yet  it  hardly  bears  a  refemblance  to  the 
vetch  in  queftion. 

Befides  the  tare  is  confidered  amongft  the 
judicious  farmers  as  a  weed,  and  v/ith  great 
reafon  too,  for  it  is  as  deftru6live  to  corn  as 
any  vi^eed  whatever,  being  a  weak,  climbing, 
heavy  topped,  feathery  plant,  which  puUs 
the  corn  dovv^n  and  rots  it. 

The, feed  alfo  when  once  it  gets  a  footing 
is  very  hard  to  get  clear  of,  as  it  is  of  a  fmall 
round  fhape,  and  blackilh  colour.  It  is 
likevvife  fpoken  of  in  fcripture  as  a  weed. 

Notwithi\anding  all  this,  I  with  regret 
fee  it  largely  treated  on  by  fome  authors,  as 
a  valuable  crop ;  however  I  know  the  ill 
confequences  of  it  fo  well  by  woeful  experi- 
ence, that  I  Ihall  not  bellow  a  finglc  line  a- 
bout  it,  except  to  advife  the  farmer,  that 
already  has  it,  to  clear  his  land  of  it,  as  faft 
as  pofiible.  There. 


io8  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

There  are  two  forts  of  vetches,  namely^ 
the  large  and  the  fmall  :  the  large  is  of  a^ 
grey  colour,  and  is  moll  proper  to  fow, 
when  the  crop  is  intended  to  Hand  for  feed. 

The  fmall  fort  is  a  fmall  black  grain  and  a 
hardy  plant,  and  not  fo  grols ;  therefore 
not  fo  apt  to  lodge,  and  rot  by  the  feventy 
of  the  winter  as  the  former. 

The  vetch  bears  a  blue,  or  rather  purple 
bloffom,  much  like  a  grey  field-pea;  the 
pod  of  much  the  fame  likenefs,  but  fmall : 
the  ftalk  has  a  refemblance  alfo,  but  will 
not  grow  to  near  the  length  or  grolTnefs,  and 
is  clad  with  a  fmall  narrow  feathered  leaf. 

The  lentil  (but  corruptly  called  by  fome 
till)  is  a  fpecies  of  pulfe,  and  one  that  de- 
lerves  the  farmers  attention.  It  is  nearly  of 
the  fame  nature  as  the  vetch  ;  therefore 
muft  have  the  fame  manageinent,  but  will 
afford  to  be  fown  fomething  later  in  the 
Ipring,  as  it  is  rather  of  an  earlier  kind. 

The  ftalk  of  the  lentil  is  more  taper 
than  that  of  vetches,  fo  confequently  will 
ftand  better  without  a  fupport. 

For  this  reafon  the  farmers  may  fow  it 
with  fucccfs  among  their  oats,  as  it  is  able 
to  fupport  itfelf  without  pulling  the  oats 
down. 

Again,  it  is  a  great  bearer,  and  adds 
much  to  the  mealy  part  of  the   oat,  and 

confequently 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         109 

confequenliy  has  more  flrength  of  food  for 
the  horfe,  and  the  ftraw  beins:  mixed  with 
the  oat-ftraw  makes  excellent  fodder. 

The  pod  that  holds  the  feed  is  fomewhat 
like  that  of  a  pea,  but  broader  in  proportion, 
and  very  thin,  as  the  two  fides  fall  clofe  to- 
gether round  the  feed. 

The  feed  is  grey,  and  of  a  round  flattiih 
fliape,  the  leaves  grow  in  pairs  oppofite  each 
other,  are  long,  fmall,  and  pointed,  of  a 
palilh  green,  and  a  little  downy  at  the  un- 
der lide. 

The  corn  is  very  good  for  pigeons  or 
fowls  of  any  fort :  it  is  alfo  made  ufe  of  for 
the  fame  purpoies  as  the  grey  pea  or  vetch. 

One  thing  is  to  be  laid  of  the  lentil,  that 
it  will  grow  on  any  poor,  light  gravel,  or 
fandy  land,  perhaps  better  than  any  other 
grain  or  fort  of  pulfe  :  but  though  this  be 
its  perfedion,  yet  doubtlefs  the  better  the 
land  the  ftouter  the  crop  ;  provided  it  be  of 
a  warm  fandy  nature.  Indeed  any  gram  of 
the  pulfe  kmd  is  fond  of  fuch  land  ;  but 
v.'hen  it  is  richer  than  common,  the  feed 
muft  be  fown  thine r  in  proportion,  and 
particularly  when  the  crop  is  intended  to 
iland  for  feed. 


Vol.  ir.  F  CHAP. 


no         A    NEW     SYSTEM 


CHAP.     XXIII. 


0«    the    different    Management  of  Clover, 
through  all  its  Variations, 


CLOVER  fuits  the  climates  of  Eng- 
land, Ireland  and  America,  better  than 
moll  other  graffes,  and  is  a  veiy  beneficial 
crop,  either  for  grazing,  or  meadow;  be- 
fides  it  is  a  great  improver  of  land,  having 
a  ftrong  fibrous  root,  which  quickly  incor- 
porates with  the  earth:,  and  when  ploughed 
up  or  dillurbed  by  tillage,  foon  rots,  and 
becomes  a  very  rich  manure. 

This  together  with  the  ieveral  rich  crops 
it  produces,  makes  it  of  more  value  than 
an/  odier  artificial  grafs. 

The 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         in 

The  way  to  make  the  moft  of  it,  I  take  to 
be  this,  viz. 

Sow  it  with  a  fpring  crop ,  that  is,  after 
the  corn  is  (own  and  harrowed,  fow  the 
clover-feed,  at  the  rate  of  ten  pounds  to  an 
Englifh  acre. 

When  fown,  either  bufh-harrow  or  roll 
it ;  but  the  latter  is  bell:. 

When  the  corn  is  reaped,  eat  the  clover 
for  about  a  month  :  though  there  are  many 
who  object  againft  this  method :  (but  my 
reafons  for  it  may  be  feen  in  the  enfuing 
chapter  on  clover)  then  lay  it  up.  It  .will 
be  well  grown  by  April,  at  which  time  you 
may  turn  ni  your  ewes  and  lambs. 

It  is  an  excellent  thing  to  create  milk  for 
feeding  lambs  with :  aifo  feeding  for  any 
fort  of  cattle  ;  but  be  watchful  to  keep  your 
horned  cattle  walking  or  flirring  about ;  or 
they  will  be  very  apt  to  hove  and  burll,  as 
it  is  a  very  fwelling  food,  and  particularly 
if  the  weather  be  wet;  for  when  the  cattle 
are  firft  turned  in,  they  eat  greedily  not  tak- 
ing time  to  chew  it. 

Therefore,  it  is  beft  only  to  fuffer  them 
to  be  in  about  ten  minutes  at  a  time,  the 
fiift  day,  twenty  the  next,  and  fo  on  :  but 
it  is  beil  to  turn  them  in  with  a  full  belly  of 
iiay,  or  fome  dry  meat ;    which  will   abate 

theii- 


112         A     NEW     SYSTEM 

their  greedy  appetite,    and  help  to  dry  up 
the  watery  particles. 

One  great  ufe  or  advantage  in  clover  is  its 
early  fpring ;  for  it  comes  in  at  leart  a  montli 
before  natural  grafs  ;  and  a  month's  grafs 
early  in  the  fpring,  is  worth  two  at  any  o- 
thej-  time  of  the  year. 

This  is  a  confideration  a  farmer  ought  to 
hear  in  mind  :  and  that  for  feveral  reafonSj 
viz. 

Firft,    for  feeding  early  lambs. 

Secondly,  to  fupply  the  place  of  hay, 
which  at  this  time  of  the  year  is  generally 
fcarcc  and  dear. 

Thirdly,  it  is  a  great  Arengthener  to 
young  cattle  ;  fuch  as  calves  and  foals  ;  for 
it  firft  purges,  and  then  puts  them  in  health 
and  vigor,  to  enter  with  a  good  conftitution 
into  the  natural  grafs-p'aflure.  It  is  always 
obferved,  that  when  they  go  weak  and  poor 
into  the  fummer  grafs,  the  bell  part  of  the 
fummeris  fpent  (in  which  time  they  fhould 
grow  in  bone)  before  they  reco\er  their 
iieili. 

Fourthly,  it  fprings  the  in-calving  cows 
to  milk  :  and  a  farmer  ought  to  bear  in  mind 
that  a  fortnight's  good  feeding,  before  a 
cow  calves,  is  worth  a  month  after  ;  as  it 
flulhes  her  to  milk,  by  opening  her  milk- 
veins^  flretching  her  udder,  teats  and  milk- 

velTcls 


OF     HUSBANDRY,         113 

'Teffels  ;  and  it  ftrengthens  and  feeds  the 
>calf  within,  and  herfeif  to  undergo  the 
painful  talk  of  calving. 

A  cow  with  health  and  ftrength  at  calv- 
ing, is  worth  one  and  a  half  that  is  poor, 
for  milk  in  fummer. 

After  this  moft  valuable  grafs  has  per- 
formed all  thefe  good  offices,  by  its  early 
fpring,  lay  it  up  for  meadow,  about  the 
firft  of  May ;  and  it  will  be  ready  to  mow 
in  a  month  or  five  weeks  after. 

By  good  mana8;ement,  it  will  produce 
three  crops  in  one  year  ;  befides  the  after- 
grafs,  or  winter-herbage,  which  is  almofc 
of  as  much  value  as  the  reR. 

The  different  fiages  for  a  crop  of  clover, 
are  as  as  follows,  viz. 

Suppofe  the  feed  to  be  fown  amongfb 
corn  in  the  beginning  of  April :  this  year 
the  rent  of  the  land  is  paid  by  the  corn- 
crop;  therefore  the  clover  has  no  charge  of 
rent  upon  it  till  May  following  :  however  it 
is  of  great  ufe  in  this  year  for  winter-feed- 
ing- ^ 

After  the  corn  is   reaped,     the   Hubbies 

mud  be  kept  free  from  cattle,  till  the  clo- 
ver get  to  be  a  good  herbage  ;  which  vvill  be 
about  the  firft  of  November  ;  then  turn  light 
cattle  in :  eat  it  till  the  firil:  of  December, 
or  till  you  fee  that  they  have  cropped  off  all 
the  tirll  Ihoots.  Then 


114  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

Then  take  them  out,  and  lay  it  up  till 
the  firft  of  April :  at  which  time  it  will  be  a 
good  herbage. 

Therefore  if  your  grafs  be  fcarce,  and 
you  chufe  to  eat  the  clover,  you  may  turn 
in  cattle  for  a  month  :  and  the  lirft  of  May 
lay  it  up  for  a  meadow-crop. 

If  a  wet  fummer  follows,  and  the  ground 
be  good,  it  will  be  ready  to  cut  by  the 
tenth  of  June  for  hay :  the  next  crop  will 
produce  feed,  or  if  you  chufe  another  crop 
of  hay. 

The  time  to  cut  the  fecond  crop  for  hay, 
is  about  the  middle  of  September  ;  or  when 
the  flowers  are  all  full  blown,  and  fome  of 
the  mofl:  forward  begin  to  fade. 

But  if  you  would  fave  the  feed,  give  it 
time  enough  to  ripen,  as  there  is  no  fear  of 
its  fliedding  :  it  is  fo  well  inclofed  with  a 
very  Packing,  tough,  wirey  pod,  therefore 
deler  cutting  it  till  very  ripe  ;  as  alfo  make 
it  very  dry  or  raib  when  cut,  or  it  will  not 
part  from  the  ftraw  or  pod  by  trelhing, 
without  more  labour  than  it  is  worth. 

By  taking  out  the  feed,  the  ftraw  will  be 
trcflicd  very  ihort  and  mufhy  :  however 
it  will  be  good  fodder,  though  not  near 
cq'jal  to  the  crop  managed  for  hay  in  its 
proper  Icafon. 

He 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         115 

He  Is  a  good  workman  that  can  trefh  out 
a  peck  of  clean  feed  in  a  day  :  he  muft 
firft  trefh  the  pods,  and  rub  and  winnow 
the  {ccd  out :  then  dry  the  pods  or  hufks 
again  ;  and  fo  repeat  thefe  operations,  till 
he  gets  the  feed  feparated  from  the  hufk. 

But  the  befl  way  is  to  threfli  the  pods  or 
hufks  out  of  the  flraw,  and  then  take  them 
to  the  mill,  and  fhcll  them  as  you  would 
oats ;  this  is  very  cafily  done,  and  faves  2 
great  deal  of  labour  and  feed,  as  little  by 
this  will  be  wafted. 

There  is  one  piece  of  care  or  obfervation 
that  a  farmer  (hould  never  lofc  fight  of,  if 
he  expects  a  full  crop  of  feed  ;  and  that  is, 
never  to  lay  up  his  hrft  growthof  clover  for 
feed  ;  for  though  it  may  grow  vigoroully, 
bloflbm,  and  look  well  to  him  who  is  not  a 
true  judge,  yet  it  will  not  bear  feed. 

Therefore,  when  a  farmer  eats  his  clover 
in  April  or  May,  he  mufl  fee  that  his  cattle 
eat  it  near  and  crop  every  branch,  as  thofe 
that  mifs  cropping,  though  they  flower 
will  not  (eed  ;  for  this  reafon  I  recommend 
eating  it  in  April,  mowing  the  hay  crop 
in  June,  and  laving  the  feed  from  the  laii: 
crop,  whichvriil  produce  the  moll  and  bell; 
feed. 

But  if  the  farmer  choofcs  he  may  not  eat 
it  in  fpring ;  by  which  means  he  may  mow 

the 


ii6         A     NEW     SYSTEM 

the  firft  crop  of  hay  by  the  middle  of  May^ 
and  tlie  next  crop  raife  feed  from. 

This  will  bring  the  feed  crop  more  in  the 
middle  of  fummcr,  when  the  heat  is  ftrong;, 
fo  confequently  it  will- be  in  lefs  danger  of 
being  fpoilcd  by  autumn-rains,  which  come 
earlier  in  Ireland,  and  the  north  of  England, 
than  they  do  near  London. 

I  mention  this  that  every  farn^er  may  be 
a  judge  of  his  own  fituation,  and  fuit  his 
crop  accordingly. 

It  IS  a  grols  miilake  and  very  often  com- 
mitted, to  let  the  firft  crop  of  clover  hay 
Hand  too  long  before  it  is  cut,  for  feveral 
reafons. 

Firft,  when  it  ftands  till  the  bottom  of 
the  ftalk  turns  brown,  it  is  drained  of  all  its 
fubftance,  and  alfo  has  cxhaufted  or  weak- 
ened the  root  too  much  of  its  vigour;  there- 
fore when  it  is  mown,  the  ftubble  is  left  as 
dead  or  lifclels  as  that  of  corn  :  and  the 
next  fhoot  or  branch  which  comes  forth 
muft  be  from  the  very  root,  which  admits 
of  a  fortnight's  delay  in  tlie  growth  of  the 
crop  :  whereas  on  the  other  hand  if  it  was 
cut  when  the  ftalk  is  green  aiid  ftill  of  fap 
or  juices,  it  would  fend  forth  frelh  Ihoots 
out  of  the  very  ftalk  a  little  belOw  the  cut: 
and  the  coat  of  clover  being  ftripped  off, 
the  roots  are  fupplied  (bciore  they  are  left 

to» 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         ik/ 

too  weak  and  fickly)  with  frefh  air,  and 
kept  in  vigour  and  flrength,  to  fupport  and 
bring  to  maturity,  the  fucceeding  crop. 

It  IS  true,  there  may  not  be  fo  great  a 
bulk  of  hay  in  the  firll  crop  when  cut  io 
young ;  bccaufe  the  llalk  is  cut  when  foft 
and  full  of  juices,  and  therefore  flattens, 
clofes,  and  runs  or  cakes  together  when  in 
(iack,  he. 

It  alfo  requires  more  care  in  making  ;  but 
as  this  happens  in  the  height  of  fummer, 
there  is  not  fo  much  danger  that  way  ^  and 
aftone  of  fuch  hay  is  worth  two  of  that  which 
is  left  to  ftand  till  the  ftalks  are  left  dry, 
hard  and  inipoveriihed. 

Clover  may  be  fown  with  fliccefs  amongft 
oats  :  alfo  if  wheat  or  rye  be  fown  in  broad 
ridges,  it  may  be  fown  amonglf  them  irk 
May  and  rolled  in. 

I  have  fecn  good  clover  where  the  feed 
was  fown  amongft  flax  :  but  the  befl  of  thefe 
crops  for  raifing  clover  is  barley,  as  this 
grain  is  not  apt  to  grow  with  fo  long  and 
grofs  a  flraw  as  oats,  wheat  or  lye ;  there- 
lore  the  clover  is  not  in  eoual  daneer  of  be- 

A,  O 

ing  fmothcred. 

Yet  there  is  no  general  rule  without  an 
exception. 

I  have 

Vol.  II.  •  CL 


11$  A    N  E  W    S  Y  S  T  E  M 

I  have  feen  good  and  bad  clover  among 
all  thefe  crops ;  a  deal  depends  upon  a  good 
feafon  :  barley  however  has  the  beft  chance ; 
as  we  generally  till  well  for  it;  barley  being, 
a.  tender  grain. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         119 


C  H  A  P.     XXIV. 


On  Cattle  boved  by  Clover ,   and  its  Cure, 


THO'  it  may  feem  ftrangc  or  odd  in  mc 
to  make  acomparifon  between  the  hu- 
man and  the  brute  creation;  yet  true'it  is  that 
what  will  cure  one  will  alfo  cure  the  other, 
if  due  regard  be  had  to  proportion  the 
dofe  agreeably  to  the  ftrength  of  the  ani- 
mal. 

In  many  inftances,  limilar  cafes  might  be 
quoted  to  flipport  this  alTertion,  but  as  few 
words  will  anfwer  my  prefent  purpofe,  I 
Ihall  leave  every  thing  elie  to  the  recolledi- 
-on  of  my  reader. 

The  mofl  natural  difference  between  the 
entrails  of  the  human  and  the  brute  fpecies, 
is  that  the  former  lie  in  a  perpendicular,  and 
the  latter  m  a  horizontal  diredion. 

What 


r2o  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

Wliat  I  aim  nt  by  this  inference,  is  to 
make  my  reader  feel  by  himfelt  the  difor- 
der  that  affects  a  beaft  by  eating  over  gree- 
dily. 

I  dare  fay  not  one  of  my  readers  but  upr 
on  recollection,  will  find  that  he  fome  time 
or  other  has  eat  his  meat  haliily,  without 
taking  time  to  chew  it,  till  it  has  given  him 
unealineis  in  his  bowels,  by  a  fiippreffion 
of  wind,  infomuch  that  he  has  been  obliged 
to  halt,  or  paufe  a  little,  till  tlie  bit  let- 
tied  ;  after  which  he  breaks  wind  with  a 
belch.. 

This  difjjrder  when  coming  on,  he  plain- 
ly feels,  is  no  other  than  fwaliowing  too 
quick. 

Therefore  T  fay,  when  he  finds  the  gullet 
overcharged,  and  the  wind  fo  preft,  he 
ilops  till  all  is  right  again  ;  but  if  he  was 
{till  to  perfiH  in  eating,  the  confequence 
might  be  dangerous  :  and  I  donht  not  but 
many  lole  their  lives  by  it,  as  we  often  hear 
of  people  dying  at  meat. 

Juil  fuch  is  the  cafe  vith  cattle  eating 
clover :  for  the  nature  of  clover  is  fuch, 
that  a  beall  can  iill  his  mouth  quicker  with 
it  than  with  any  other  grals  ;  which  is  ow- 
211^  to  its  bulhy  top  and  foft,  and  fmall 
Aalk. 

Ail 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         121 

All  natural  grafs  is  fmall  at  the  top,  and 
thickeft  towards  the  bottom  ;  it  therefore 
takes  a  good  pitll  to  break  it  off ;  which 
gives  time  for  a  fwallow  ;  neither  can  the 
bead  fill  his  mouth  fo  quick.  But  clover 
being  quite  the  reverfe,  he  can  gather  it 
fader  or  quicker,  than  the  gullet  can  dif- 
charge  it  into  the  maw. 

Therefore  one  mouthful,  which  is  very 
large,  rolled  up  in  balls,  overtakes  another, 
till  it  flops  up  the  paiTage  of  the  throat, 
and  fuppreiles  the  inward  air,  and  fo  puts 
a  final  ftop  to  refpiration,  infomuch  that  all 
the  inward  machinery  is  like  a  blown  blad- 
der. 

All  thefe  preffmg  upon  the  lungs,  hin- 
der them  from  playing  ;  which  caufes  a  to- 
tal fl agnation  of  the  inward  machinery ; 
and  if  a  remedy  cannot  be  procured,  before 
the  blood  abates  in  its  circulation,  and  cools 
in  the  veins,  death  muft  unavoidably  en- 
iue. 

I  remember  an  accident  that  happened 
-when  I  was  a  fchool-boy,  and  as  I  was  pre- 
fent,  I  fhall  repeat  it  as  follows^: 

A  farmer  turned  a  parcel  of  cattle  into  a 
clover-field  in  the  month  of  May ;  but  in 
a  fmall  time  after  they  were  turned  in,  a 
bullock  was  obferved  to  be  very  fick :  he 
was  immediateiy  drove  out  of  the  field  into 

the 


ii22        A    NEW    SYSTEM 

the  town,  which  was  within  two  or  three 
hundred  yards;  but  in  town  before  he  could 
reach  the  tarmer's  houfe,  he  dropped  down 
dead  to  all  appearance :  it  was  oppofite  to 
an  ale-houfe. 

Immediately  people  flocked  about  him  : 
a  drunken  blackfmith  was  in  the  ale-houfe 
with  a  gun-barrel  in  his  hand,  and  the 
breech-pin  out,  as  he  had  been  cleaning  it : 
Jhe  came  out,  running  among  the  reft,  and 
thruft  the  gun-barrel  up  the  bullock's  fun- 
dament; out  of  which  iflued  a  deal  of 
wind. 

Another  by-ftander  run  his  pen-knife  in- 
to his  flank  behind  his  laft  rib. 

I  had  a  pellit-gun  in  my  hand,  and  they 
put  it  into  the  orifice,  out  of  which  alfo 
ruflied  a  deal  of  wind. 

They  alfo  bled  him.  This  was  all  per- 
formed inftantly. 

He  began  to  Ihew  fign  of  life  ;  they  then 
gave  him  a  cliftcr  of  warm  milk,  oil  and 
iljrown  fugar. 

In  fhort  with  one  cookery  or  another  the 
bullock  recovered  ;  and  I  believe  every  thing 
that  was  done  was  new :  as  moft  prefcnt 
were  ftrangers  to  clover. 

As  it  was  only  then,  making  its  entrance 
into  the  neigb.bourhood,  therefore  they  were 
all  ftrangers  to  its  cffeds.     And  though  they 

llumblcd 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         123 

•ftumbled  upon  a  cure,  yet  not  one  of  them 
perhaps  could  give  a  rational  coherent  aa- 
fwer  upon  the  fubjecl. 

The  perlon  to  whom  the  bullock  bc*> 
longed  was  a  very  feniible,  curious,  enter- 
prifing  man. 

He  was  the  firft  that  introduced  any  new- 
thing  into  the  neighbourhood  j  of  which 
clover  was  one  inftance. 

As  he  believed  the  bullock  dead,  he 
iiood  very  coolly  looking  on,  and  let  them 
do  what  they  would.  After  which  he  made 
very  fenfible  remarks. 

I  have  heard  him  fince  fay,  that  v^as  a, 
lucky  bullock ;  as  he  had  been  the  rneans 
of  faving  him  many  cattle. 

By  the  experiment  he  afforded,  the  peo- 
ple's attention  was  fo  much  engrolTed  with- 
this  bullock,  that  a  cow  and  a  two  year 
old  heiffer  were  dead  in  the  field  before  they 
had  prefence  of  mind  to  attend  to  them ; 
but  the  farmer  told  me'  he  never  lofl  one 
after. 

I  afked  him  his  cure,  he  told  me  that  he 
never  wanted  one,  for  he  looked  upon  a 
prevention  as  preferable  to  a  medicine,  or 
any  other  operation.  , 

His  method  was  always  to  keep  the  cat- 
tle flirring  when  they  were  firil  turned  into 
clover,,  fo  that  three  or  four  mouthiuls  were 

as 


124-  A    NEW    SYSTENf 

as  mucli  as  they  were  admitted  to  take  atT 
once,  and   then   to   walk  a  few  yards,  till 
that  had  time  to  fettle  into  the  inaw  i  fo  as 
the  gullet-wind,  as  he   called   it,  had  time 
to  arife. 

Thus  he  kept  them  llirring  till  they  were 
full ;  and  for  a  few  nights  at  tiril:,  turned 
them  into  a  common  grafs-pailure. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  this  is  a  very  nc- 
cedary  precaution,  and  if  duly  attended  to 
would  render  every  other  operation  or  me- 
dicine ineffefiual. 

However,  left  through  neglcd:,  ignorance 
or  accident,  cattle  fhould  break  into  clover, 
it  is  ablolutely  neceifary  that  a  cure  Ihould 
be  pointed  out. 

I  believe  my  reader  will  adm.it  that  the 
nearefl  rtep  to  a  cure  in  any  caie  is,  to  know 
the  difeafe,  and  the  caufe  of  it :  this  will 
make  the  cure  more  certain. 

Now  we  find  that  the  caufe  of  this  mala- 
dy is  by  fuddenly  over-filling  the  neck-gut„ 
which  fwells  and  ftops  all  the  vent  of  the 
throat  or  wind-pipe. 

This  over-prell'ure  clofes  the  lungs,  and 
hinders  them  from  playing,  which  puts  a 
final  flop  to  the  circulation  of  the  blood 
through  all  the  veins. 

When  this  loles  its  motion,  it  immediate- 
ly cools  and  thickens. 

Therefore 


OF    HUSBANDRY.        12^- 

Therefore,  in  this  cafe,  every  ftep  muft 
be  very  quick;  as  delay  will  put  it  out  of 
the  power  of  medicine  to  relieve. 

The  fjril  thing  is,  to  open  a  vein ;  the 
next,  to  make  an  incifion  with  a  knife  in  the 
flank,  about  three  inches  from  the  hinder 
rib,  as  near  the  hip-bone  as  can  be,  fo  as  not 
to  enter  into  the  flefh;  there  is  no  danger  can 
enfue  from  this,  provided  you  keep  high 
enough  up,  not  to  touch  the  entrails. 

Put  a  quill  in  the  orifice,  to  keep  it  o- 
pen  :  while  this  is  doing  warm  a  quart  of 
milk,  and  put  it  into  a  half  pound  of  trea- 
cle, an  ounce  of  annifeed,  and  a  table  fpoon- 
ful  of  fweet  oil :  mix  all  together,  and  give 
it  as  a  clifter  :  thiS  will  nourifh  the  entrails, 
and  keep  warm  and  alive  the  blood,  till  a 
refpiration  can  be  recovered. 

if  a  clifter  of  this  fort  cannot  be  got, 
ftamp  an  onion ,  mix  with  it  butter  and 
pepper,  and  put  it  up  the  fundament ;  it 
v/ill  caufe  an  attraction  and  a  heat :  pour 
feme  fweet  oil,  or  quick-filver  down  the 
throat ;  which  will  help  to  force  a  paiTage 
for  the  wind  to  operate. 


Vol.  II.  R  CHAP. 


126  A    NEW     SYSTEM 


C  H  A  P.     XXV. 


"Remarks  on  Clover^ 


SOME  perfons  objecn;  to  the  eating  of 
clover,  the  tirft  winter  after  it  is  fown  ; 
believing  it  to  weaken  the  crop,  but  on  the 
contrary,  I  believe  it  flrengthens  it :  for  as 
clover  grows  amongil  corn,  it  is  drawn  up 
Vv  eak  and  tender  by  its  warm  fituation,  be- 
ing furroundcd  by  the  crbp :  and  when  a 
tall  weak  plant  of  this  fort  comes  to  be  fud- 
denly  expofed,  it  is  a  wonder  if  the  delica- 
cy oi"  its  conflitution  can  bear  the  fudden 
change  without  a  fhock,  as  it  is  not  fit  to 
encounter  with  the  inclemency  of  a  win- 
ter. 

I  IcJok 


OF    HUSBANDRY,         127 

1  look  upon  it  to  be  much  better  to  eat 
off  this  weak  alpiring  top,  which  makes 
the  root  ftrikc  downwards,  grow  ftrong, 
and  incorporate  with  the  foil  and  the  earth: 
the  top  alfo  will  fend  forth  frelh  fhoots, 
more  of  them  and  of  a  firmer  texture  or 
kind. 

To  convince  myfelf  of  this,  I  once  di- 
vided a  field  of  clover  into  two  parts,  one 
of  which  I  eat  in  common  with  the  reil  of 
the  flubbles  ;  the  other  I  did  not  eat  at  all 
till  May. 

The  part  I  eat,  I  found  to  be  a  good  deal 
ranker  or  thicker  {qI  on  the  ground  than 
the  other  :  and  I  obferved  that  the  leaves  of 
the  clover  that  were  not  eaten,  turned  yel- 
low with  the  frofl,  and  died  away. 

In  this  cafe,  as  in  moil  others,  (reafon 
fpeaks  for  itfeli)  that  it  is  better  to  take  off 
a  fickly,  tender,  weak,  part  or  fibre,  than 
to  let  it  die  away,  and  thereby  communi- 
cate its  llate  ot  moitiiication  to  the  main 
body. 


CHAP, 


liS         A     NEW     SYSTEM 


CHAP.     XXVI. 


On  Lucernt,  its  Perfection  and  Management', 
alio  the  Method  of  Drilltng  with  the  com- 
7non  Plough,  &c. 


LA  Lucerne,  lb  called  by  the  French, 
but  lucerne  by  the  Englifh,  is  a  very 
profitable  grafs,  and  particularly  where  the 
climate  is  hot,  and  the  land  light  and  fandy, 
or  gravelly  and  rocky. 

It  is  an  excellent  food,  either  as  herbage 
or  hay  :  but  its  greatell  perfedion  is  for 
foiling  of  cattle,  which  makes  it  of  great 
fervice  in  fome  parts  of  England,  and  would 
be  particularly  fo  in  America. 

This 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         12^ 

This  grafs  is  not  fo  early  a  Tpring  as  clo- 
ver ;  for  if  we  confider,  that  it  is  the  fun 
we  may  thank  for  nonrifhing  the  earth,  and 
niakes  her  fend  forth  her  early  fpring ;  and 
that  it  is  unqueftionably  the  furface  which 
firll  feels  the  warmth  thereof:  we  muft 
conclude  that  any  vegetable  which  roots 
fhallow  or  runs  horizontally,  will  make  the 
carlieft  fhoot,  confequently  lucerne  muft 
have  the  more  backward  fpring,  as  it  ftrike* 
a  great  deal  deeper  than  the  clover,  and 
therefore  feeds  in  a  colder  climate,  which 
makes  it  a  very  fit  crop  for  fo  hot  a  climate 
as  America. 

I  would  further  obferve,  that  clover  im- 
proves land  better  than  lucerne  by  its  root 
Spreading  more  largely  and  plentifully  thro' 
the  fod. 

I  am  ftrongly  of  opinion  that  nothing  in 
nature  improves  land  equal  to  the  root  of 
clover ;  for  if  it  only  lies  one  year,  plough 
it  up,  and  the  furrow  or  fod  will  be  a  per- 
fect mattrals  ;  and  after  that  ploughing  the 
root  foon  rots,  and  becomes  the  fineft  ma- 
nure upon  earth. 

But  this  we  cannot  fay  for  lucerne  :  for 
though  what  root  there  is,  may  make  good 
manure,  yet  it  does  not  fpread  or  produce 
half  fo  much    root  in  the  fod,  becaufe  it 

firikes 


130        A     NEW     SYSTEM 

llrikes  downwards,  like  a  parfnip,  and 
thereiore  a  great  deal  of  it  lies  too  deep  to 
be  raifcd  by  the  plough. 

The  two  chief  perfedions  of  lucerne  arc, 
firft,  its  yielding  a  plentiful  produce,  tho' 
fown  in  a  fandy,  gravelly  or  rocky  ground, 
provided  it  is  made  tolerably  rich,  and  finely 
tilled. 

The  climate  and  lands  of  America  are 
very  proper  for  lucerne,  as  the  climate  is 
hot,  the  land  light,  and  in  general  pretty 
deep,  which  will  admit  the  top  root  to 
ftrike  deep  alio,  and  feek  its  nourifhment  out 
of  the  reach  of  the  rays  of  the  fun,  confe- 
quently  in  this  country  it  has  the  preference 
to  clover,  as  the  latter  never  ftrikcs  deeper 
than  the  plough  goes,  but  runs  horizontally 
is  interwoven,  and  feeds  entirely  from  the 
the  upper  fod  or  ftratum,  fo  that  in  a  hot 
climate  the  fun  will  not  permit  it  to  flourilh 
to  periedion,  particularly  if  it  be  not  attrad- 
ed  to  a  colder  eaithly  climate  by  deep  til- 
age. 

Every  farmei  however,  is  the  beft  judge 
what  fort  of  land  he  has,  or  what  fituation 
he  is  in,  and  accordingly  may  fuit  his  crop 
thereto. 

When  a  perfon  hears  two  tales,  though 
he   be  a  llranger  to   the  affair,   yet  he  may 

give 


OF    HUSBANDHr.         ijt 

^ivc  a  (hrewd  guefs   which  is  the  moft  rea- 
fonable  or  likely  to  fuit  his  purpofe. 

Lucerne  requires  a  deep  foil ;  and  though 
the  feed  rnuft  be  thinly  covered,  when  fovvn 
yet  the  land  mull:  be  prepared  by  deep 
ploughing  :  as  the  rool  firikes  deep. 

It  is  necelTary  that  the  land  have  a  good 
fummer-fallow  ;  when  the  corn  is  fown  and 
harrowed,  fow  the  lucerne,  and  harrow 
once  in  a  place  with  the  harrow  turned  the 
wrong  end  forcmoft  ;  and  when  the  corn  is 
come  up,  roll  it. 

If  the  lucerne  be  intended  for  fummer- 
pafture  or  meadow,  fow  it  in  the  broad-caft 
way,  and  in  order  to  fow  it  even,  fow  it 
twice  in  a  place. 

Take  no  more  rn  your  hand  than  you  can 
hold  between  one  finger  and  thumb,  and  on 
a  ridge  that  is  twelve  feet  broad  make  three 
calls  ;  this  will  fow  at  the  rate  of  four 
pounds  to  an  Englifh  acre,  at  fixteen  ounces 
to  the  pound,  and  five  yard  and  an  half  to 
the  peich,  and  fo  in  proportion  for  the 
Scotch  and  Irifh  acre. 

If  the  lucerne  be  mtended  for  foiling  cat- 
tle, it  is  by  much  the  bell  to  fow  it  in 
drills,  viz. 

Two  drills,  eight  inches  afunder,  and 
then  an  mterval  of  three  ieet,  and  then  two 

drills 


132         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

drills  more,  and  another  interval  of  three 
feet ;  and  lo  on  through  the  piece  you  in- 
tend to  fow. 

It  m-^y  appear  to  farmers  that  arc  Gran- 
gers to  the  drill-hulhandry,  that  it  is  a  very 
nice  affair,  and  not  to  be  done  witliout  the 
expcnce  and  nicety  of  a  drill  plough  :  nor 
did  1  ever  read  any  infi-ructions  that  direded 
it  to  be  done  by  any  other  way  :  but  be  af- 
fured  there  is  nothing  more  eafy;  for  a  com- 
mon plough  will  malcc  a  very  good  iliift, 
when  managed  in  the  following  manner, 
viz. 

The  land  being  well  prepared  for  the  feed 
it~  lucerne  is  to  be  fowcd  in  drills,  without 
a  corn-crop,  begin  to  plough  at  one  fide  of 
the  field,  and  plough  a  furrow  two  inches 
deep  and  eight  broad :  in  this  fcatter  the 
feed  ;  then  plough  another  furrow  ;  in  this 
fow  none  j  but  in  the  next  fow  another  rov/: 
this  leaves  a  fpace  of  eight  inches  between 
the  rows  ;  then  plough  five  more,  and  in 
the  fixth  and  eight  fcatter  the  feed :  fo  go 
on,  leaving  five  furrows  unfown,  and  two 
fown :  this  will  leave  room  enough  between 
the  two  rows  in  the  wide  interval,  for  the 
plough  to  go. 

As  foon  as  the  lucerne  is  above  ground, 
go  with  the  plough  and  lay  a  little  mold  at 
the  Hem  of  each  row,  and  always  when  the 

weeds 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         135 

weeds  grow  plough  a  couple  of  furrows  in 
the  wide  interval,  which  will  kill  the  weeds 
and  fallow  the  ground,  and  give  additional 
vigor  to  the  plants  :  weed  or  hand-hoe  in 
the  narrow  intervals. 

If  lucerne  is  to  be  fown  amongft  corn,  it 
cannot  be  let  in  drills  as  above  with  the 
plough  ;  therefore  ft  retch  a  line  at  the  fame 
diftances  of  forty-eight  inches  to  the  wide 
interval,  and  eight  to  the  narrow,  and  fhake 
the  feed  along  it,  andharrowit  in,  as  if  it  was 
fown  in  the  broad-caft  way  ;  and  as  foon  as 
the  corn  is  out,  plough  the  wide  intervals, 
and  hand-hoe  in  the  narrow  fpaces  between 
the  two  drills. 

There  can  be  nothing  more  eafy  than 
drilling  and  horfe-hoeing  in  the  above  man- 
ner; which  may  anfwer  the  end,  by  fow- 
ing  any  fort  of  grain,  and  particularly  wheat 
beans  and  peas. 

Inftead  of  a  drill-box  or  hopper,  which 
is  ufed  in  ploughs,  take  a  tin  porringer,  and 
punch  three  or  four  holes  in  the  bottom,  in 
the  nature  of  a  cuiiendar,  juft  the  fize  of 
the  grain  or  feed  you  have  to  fow,  by 
{baking  along  the  furrow,  you  may  bring 
yourfelf  to  a  tolerable  deg!  ee  of  exacinel's, 
and  fwiftnefs  too  :  for  one  man  may  iov7  as 
faft  as  a  plough  v/ill  go. 

liie 

Vol.  II.  S 


134  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

The  time  to  mow  lucerne  is,  when  jufl: 
bcginnin<y  to  flower. 

Avoid  making  the  hay  too  green  ;  for  it 
will  appear  to  be  dry  when  it  is  not,  and 
therefore  may  give  again  and  damage,  it 
being  fo  full  of  fap  or  juices. 

When  it  is  cut  for  foil,  there  is  nothing 
more  than  to  cut  the  oldelt  firft. 

It  may  begin  to  be  cut,  when  fix  or  eight 
inches  high  ;  and  fo  continue  cutting  as  it  is 
wanted. 


CHAP 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         135 


CHAP.     XXVU. 


'J^be  mojl  fuitable  Lands  and  Climate  for 
Lucerne,  with  Remarks  thereon,  &c. 


THOUGH  the  lands  of  England,  Scot- 
land and  Ireland,  are  generally  pret- 
ty good,  and  naturally  given  to  grafs ;  yet  I 
dare  venture  to  fay,  that  more  than  three 
fourths  of  all  thefe  kingdoms  are  not  proper 
for  lucerne.  America  in  general  is  proper 
for  it,  becaule  the  land  is  deep  and  in  gene- 
ral fandy,  and  the  climate  hot  and  dry. 

The  farmer  that  propofes  to  cultivate  this 
plant,  muft  firfl  duly  confider  its  nature;that 
it  is  a  native  of  a  v  arm  climate;  and  that  it 
has  a  long,  grofs,  tap-root,  which  runs  })er- 
pendicular;  and  therefore  feeds  cheiPiy  from 
the  under  flratum,  perhaj^s  at  the  depth  of 
two  or  three  feet. 

Then 


136  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

Then  again,  let  him  turn  his  eye  on  his 
land,  and  Ice  ii'  it  be  of  a  deep,  rich  foil;  if 
the  under-llratum  be  a  loam,  or  limellone- 
gravel,  or  a  deep  loamy  fand,  or  a  warm 
rich  gravel,  or  a  black  hazel  earth:  if  it  be 
any  of  thefe,  he  may  venture  to  fow  his  lu- 
cerne thereon;  provided  he  ploughs  deep, 
and  till  well. 

However,  in  mofl:  parts,  I  am  afraid  he 
will  find,  inftead  of  the  above,  a  ftrong  clay 
bottom,  at  the  depth  of  about  four  or  five 
inches,  which  is  of  a  folid,  clofe,  hungry 
nature,  that  will  not  admit  the  root  of  a  plant 
to  enter.;  nor  has  it  any  nourilhment  that  a 
plant  can  feed  upon,  without  firil  being 
opened  by  tillage  and  the  air. 

Ar.d  what  ilill  adds  to  the  evil,  is,  tiiat 
it  hoIJs  water  like  a  difh,  and  v/ill  not  let 
it  fink  through,  but  keeps  it  flamming  on 
the  top  amoneft  the  lod,  furface  or  upper- 
llratum  all  wmrer ;  fo  that  if  cattle  tread 
thereon  it  iniinediately  works,  or  poaches  to 
mortar. 

Then  certainly  fuch  land  cannot  be  fuit- 
able  for  a  plant  of  fucli  a  tender  nature,  and 
which  feeks  its  nourilhment  fo  deep. 

I.i  luch  land  clover  has  the  advantage; 
as  it  requires  not  fo  deep  land,  bccaufe  the 
root  runs  horizontally  and  keeps  near  the 
warm  fui'facc. 

A  farmer 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         137 

A  farmer  feeing  the  nature  of  the  plant, 
and  the  land  iuitable  thereto  may  fquare  his 
aHairs  accordingly,  in  fuiting  proper  crops 
to  proper  land. 

A  voluminous  writer  tells  us,  that  the 
lands  of  England  are  more  fubjed  to  run  to 
natural  grafs.  than  any  other  country  what- 
ever; infomuch  fays  he,  that  it  is  with  great 
labour  and  expence  we  can  keep  it  from 
getting  head  of  the  lucerne,  and  fpoiling  the 
crop. 

This  I  grant  is  the  cafe  ;  and  this  alone  is 
fufficient  to  fhew,  that  in  general  lucerne 
is  not  fo  valuable  in  thcfe  grally  countries  as 
in  dry,  hot,  fandy  countries,  where  natural 
grafs,  or  any  other  plant  that  roots  {hallow, 
is  burnt  up. 

From  that  author's  faying  that  England  is 
the  moft  gralTy  country,  I  fuppofe  he  was  a 
flranger  to  Ireland,  or  he  muft  have  except- 
ed it ;  and  why  it  fhould  be  fo,  is  eafily  ac- 
counted for  :  as  that  is  occafioned  by  the 
moiftnefs  of  the  climate,  and  the  coldnefs 
of  the  foil,  peculiar  to  that  kingdom. 

It  has  a  rold  clay-foil,  intermingled  here 
and  there  with  loughs,  lakes,  moraffes  or 
bogs,  the  damp  from  which  is  exhaled  by 
the  fun,  and  therefore  fbftens  the  air,  and 
again  defcends  in  thick  mills  or  fogs,  heavy 

dews 


nS        A    NEW    SYSTEM 


'J 


dews  and  fmall  rains,  which  ahvajs  keep  the 
land  wet,  the  grafs  green,  and  in  a  growing 
Hate. 

The  rain  is  never  fo  heavy  as  in  England, 
but  much  more  conftant. 

But  England  has  few  bogs,  lakes,  or 
loughs ;  therefore  the  air  is  more  clear  and 
dry. 

The  rains  of  England  fall  feldomer,  but 
much  heavier. 

Alfo  the  winter-froft  and  the  air  is  {harp- 
er and  more  intenfe. 

All  thefe'confiderations  muft  fhew,  that 
Ireland  is  the  moft  grafly  country  of  th« 
two. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         139 


CHAP.   xxvm. 


Now  to  manage  Saintfoin,  which  fuits  Ame- 
rica* 


SAintfoIn  is  a  valuable  grafs,  particu- 
larly where  land  is  rocky,  gravelly 
or  fandy :  and  though  in  general,  clover  is 
the  heft  crop  for  this  climate,  yet  faintfoin 
may  anfwer  in  fome  places  very  well,  where 
the  land  is  fubjed  to  rocks  and  ftones ; 
which  makes  meadow  very  Icarce  (though 
the  fummer  herbage  is  good  and  plentiful) 
as  the  Toil  amongft  thefe  rocks  is  naturally 
good,  where  it  can  be  cultivated,  fo  as  to 
be  brougiit  to  any  tolerable  tildi, 

Cn 


140  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

On  fuch  fow  faintfoin  ;  and  if  tlic  foil  be 
ever  fo  fcanty,  it  will  Rrike  into  every  linall 
nitch  or  crevice,  and  feek  its  noiirilhment 
very  deep,  where  no  other  graCj  will  live, 
or  indeed  can  get  a  footing. 

It  is  alfo  good  for  foiling  cattle :  but  in 
this  lucerne  has  the  advantage  ;  as  it  is  of  a 
quicker  growth  and  lefs  ftagnated  with  cut- 
ting :  but  as  I  before  obferved,  this  is  of 
little  fignification  to  England  or  h'eland  ;  as 
they  abound  fully  with  good  fummer-herb- 
age. 

It  is  winter-feeding  that  we  are  to  confi- 
der;  as  alfo  to  keep  the  land  in  full  profit, 
till  the  return  of  natural  grafs,  after  long 
tillage  :  and  this  is  beft  etTected  by  th^  two 
graftes  clover  and  faintfoin :  clover  for  the 
wet  and  fmoothefl  land,  and  faintioin  tor  the 
fandy,  rocky,  or  more  ilony  parts  thereof, 
fuch  as  the  wolds  in  Yorkfhire  or  Lincoln- 
ihire,  Chiltern-hills,  hcc. 

As  I  have  in  a  few  words,  given  the  vir- 
tues of  faintfoin,  I  fhali  not  make  a  long 
chapter  on  the  management  thereof;  as 
there  is  little  alteration  to  be  made  between 
the  raifing  of  faintfoin  and  lucerne  or  clo- 
ver. 

Saintfoin  maybe  fown  earlier  than  clover 
©r  lucerne  ;  as  it  is  in  lefs  danger  of  being 
hurt  by  the  frofl. 

The 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         141 

The  land  muft  be  well  tilled,  whether  it 
be  fown  alone,  or  amongft  corn :  if  it  be 
fown  amongft  corn  in  the  broad-caft  method, 
harrow  the  ground  once  in  a  place,  after 
tlie  corn  is  fown,  before  the  faintioin  is 
Town. 

This  will  make  the  ground  a  little  level, 
that  it  may  not  be  buried  too  deep  in  places. 
Yet  as  it  is  a  large  huiky  leed,  it  inui.l  have 
a  covering,  or  it  v/ili  not  grow  ;  but  by  be- 
ing harrowed  in  when  the  land  is  pretty 
rough  it  will  be  all  fafficiently  covered,  pro- 
vided it  be  well  harrov/ed  aiterwards. 

If  it  be  fown  in  drills  amongft  the  corn, 
llrelch  a  line  and  fcatter  the  feed  along  it, 
leaving  intervals,  the  broadeft  about  three 
feet,  and  the  narrowell  eight  inches,  as  di- 
rected for  lucerne. 

If  it  be  fown  by  itfelf  it  muft  be  got  into 
the  ground  by  the  firft  of  March. 

Some  will  fow  it  at  Michaelmas  ;  but  I  do 
not  think  this  a  good  time,  for  it  will  not 
be  a  great  deal  earlier  ;  befides  a  fevere  wm- 
ter  may  hurt  it:  and  it  is  further  to  be  con- 
fidered,  that  by  keeping  it  out  of  the  ground 
till  fpring  the  ground  can  be  winter-iallow- 

edi 

Vol.  II.  T 


142         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

ed ;    which  will  add  greatly  to  the  fertility 
thereof.  ^ 

If  it  be  fown  in  drills  and  alone,  fow  it  in 
every  fixth  or  eighth  hirrow  as  diredcd  for 
lucerne  ;  but  have  a  care  not  to  cover  it  a- 
bove  an  inch  deep  at  the  moll. 

Four  bufhels  of  feed  are  generally  ufcd  to 
an  acre  in  the  broad-call ;  but  half  a  bufhel 
in  the  drill-way  is  fall  enough  for  an  Eng- 
lifh  acre. 

Lay  up  the  faintfoin  for  hay  about  the  firft 
of  March,  and  it  will  be  in  blolfom  about 
the  firfl  of  June;  when  it  is  full  in  flower 
it  is  time  to  mow  it;  manage  it  in  making 
as  clover, 

Obferve  in  eating  it  with  flieep,  not  to 
eat  it  too  near  ;  which  will  damage  the 
root,  and  put  it  in  danger  of  rotting,  if 
they  enter  upon  the  head  of  the  root :  it  is 
alfo  dangerous  to  turn  large  cattle  into  a 
crop  of  faintibin,  till  it  is  wel  ellablilhed 
in  the  ground,  as  they  will  be  apt  to  tread 
it  up  and  fpoil  the  plants. 

The  beft  method  to  manage  faintfoin,  is 
to  mow  the  tirft  year,  and  caution  the 
fcythe-man  not  to  cut  too  near. 

The 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         143 

The  next  year,  (heep  may  very  well  be 
fed  on  it ;  and  after  this,  it  may  be  paftured 
or  mown  at  the  farmer's  dilcretion  ;  as  the 
roots  by  this  time  will  be  properly  efta- 
bUlhed. 


CHAP. 


144        A    NEW    SYSTEM 


CHAP.     XXIX. 


On   Rye   Grafs,    its   FerfeBion   and 
Management,. 


•rv-YE-grafs  is  a  native  of  our  own  king- 
doms :  its  quality  is  fuch,  that  it  will  grow 
in  almolt  any  kind  of  land. 

In  cold  clay  or  wet  land  it  fiourifhes  great- 
ly ;  it  will  aifo  grow  well  on  high,  dry,  or 
fandy  land  ;  which  is  very  extraordinary,  as 
as  the  oppolite  extremes  are  fo  great. 

It  is  not  nice,  for  it  will  grow  amongfl 
any  fort  of  grafs  ;  it  will  alfo  encroach  a- 
mongl\  corn  ;  but  while  it  is  Healing  its  foot- 
ing there,  it  is  deemed  a  weed,  and  is  known 
by  the  name  of  darnel. 


It 


OF    HUSBANDRY,        145 

It  flourifhes  greatly  by  culture,  and  will 
grow  to  the  height  of  four  feet,  upon,  good 
land. 

The  feed  alfo  grows  large  in  proportion, 
and  full  of  meal. 

There  are  two  forts,  one  called  drokc, 
and  the  other  darnel,  in  Latin,  lolium. 

They  are  both  nearly  the  fame  quality  : 
there  is  no  knowing  the  feeds  afunder,  they 
are  fo  nearly  alike :  the  droke  has  a  little 
larger  or  fuller  grain,  and  I  think  is  fomc- 
what  more  delicate  in  its  growth  ;  for  it  ge- 
generally  flourillies  bell  in  tilled  ground 
amongft  corn. 

It  produces  a  far  greater  head  of  feed 
than  darnel.  I  have  counted  a  hundred 
and  thirty-five  feeds  in  one  ear. ' 

The  ears  of  droke  and  darnel  differ  con- 
fiderabiy. 

That  of  darnel  or  rye-grafs  grows  clofc 
to  the  ftalk  in  two  rows :  but  droke  has 
a  fpread  ragged  head  of  many  branches, 
five  or  fix  inches  long,  fpreading  from  the 
main  ftalk,  on  the  end  of  which  branches 
the  feed  grovsts  in  bunches.. 

There  is  the  fame  diflint^ion  to  be  ob- 
ferved  in  common  hay-grafs,  as  to  the  form 
of  the  ear  ;  for  though  the  root,  flalk  and 
feed  are  nearly  alike,  yet   the  ears  dilTer, 

fomc 


146         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

fome  having  an  ear  like  darnel,  and  others 
a  loofe,  open,  fpread  ear  like  droke. 

The  greateft  virtues  of  rye-grafs  arc  its 
early  growth,  and  its  good  quahry  ot"  grow- 
ing on  any  fort  of  land.  It  is  much  better 
fodder  than  timothy  grafs,  and  will  thrive 
much  better  on  the  lame  land  and  with 
greater  fuccefs. 

Thefe  two  excellencies  fhould  induce 
every  farmer  to  provide  himfelf  with  fomc 
of  it. 

There  is  no  farmer  but  would  be  glad  of 
a  piece  of  early  grafs  to  feed  lambs  on  :  or 
if  he  had  not  lambs  to  turn  in  his  cows^ 
that  are  generally  dropping  their  calves  in 
the  fpring,  which  would  be  greatly  forward- 
ing their  milk. 

It  is  alfo  an  excellent  feeding  for  recruit- 
ing' calves  and  foals,  who  have  hardly  ef- 
caped  the  feverity  of  the  winter. 

In  fhort  a  few  acres  of  rye-grafs  would 
be  of  more  value  to  a  farmer,  than  he  can 
well  conceive  ;  and  when  his  natural  grafs- 
paflure  comes  to  a  head,  he  may  lay  up 
his  artificial  grafs-land  for  l^ay,  and  not 
doubt  of  a  good  crop. 

Rye-grafs  is  alfo  wholcfome  feeding  to 
mix  among  clover- feed  when  fown,  as  it 
will  help  to  prevent  cattle  from  hoving. 

However 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         147 

However  though  I  have  faid  fo  much  in 
letting  forth  the  advantages  of  rye-grafs :  yet 
it  is  not  without  its  fauh  ;  and  this  is  its  be- 
ing an  impoverifher  of  land,  though  not  in 
a  very  great  degree  ;  for  a  crop  of  rye-grafs 
with  rhe  land  laid  dov^^n  in  heart, ,  will  hold 
good  for  ten  or  twelve  years. 

Your  beft  oeconomy  is,  to  mow  it  one 
year,  and  graze  it  another  alternately :  and 
though  it  may  be  its  property  to  reduce  land 
a  little,  I  do  not  think  a  farmer  can  fow  a 
better  crop,  provided  he  does  it  with  dif- 
cretion,  and  fows  it  on  his  ftrongeft,  wet, 
.clay-land,  or  where  clover  wall  not  fucceed 
fo  well. 

But  where  clover  will  thrive,  it  is  furely 
preferable  to  all  other  artificial  herbage;  and 
if  I  recommend  rye-grafs,  it  is  only  for  a- 
bout  live  or  ten  acres  in  a  hundred,  to  be 
applied  chiefly  for  fprinr  feeding. 

The  culture  of  rye-grafs  is  very  fimple 
and  eafy. 

It  may  be  fown  amongft  corn  with  any 
fort  of  grafs  feed  or  by  itielf,  as  there  is  no 
dovbt  of  its  growing. 

If  it  be  fown  with  clover  and  barley 
w^hich  is  the  beft  management,  fow  two 
bulhels  on  an  Englifh  acre ;  but  if  it  be 
fown  alone,  fourbufhels  is  the  compliment, 

and 


148         A     NEW     SYSTEM 

and  fo  in  proportion  for  an  Irifh  or  Scotch 
acre. 

The  old  broad-cafl:  way  is  the  bell:  to  low 
it  in  ;  for  which  choofe  a  calm  day,  krt  it 
fhould  blow  on  heaps  as  the  feed  is  hght. 

It  may  be  fown  with  the  corn;  for  it 
will  take  as  mych  harrowing,  being  a  light 
feed. 

Neither  is  there  much  fear  of  burying  it 
too  deep,  and  yet  it  will  grow  if  it  lies  above 
ground. 

Where  grafs-land  of  any  fort  is  too  thin 
rye-grafs  or  white  hay-feeds  may  be  fown 
on  the  furface  and  rolled,  and  they  will 
grow  the  firft  rain. 

The  greatefl  care  mull  be  taken  to  mow 
ryc-grais  in  the  proper  feafon,  if  no  rej^ard 
be  paid  to  the  feed. 

The  time  to  mow  it  is  the  firft  ihoot- 
ing  of  the  ear  when  it  is  full  of  lap,  but  if  it 
be  for  feed  let  it  Hand  till  the  ear  begins  to 
turn  brown. 

There  is  a  medium  however  to  be  ufed 
between  both  :  and  diat  is,  to  mow  it  when 
the  ear  is  full,  but  the  feed  not  above  lalf- 
ripe,  by  this  a  good  deal  ofjuiccs  arc  catched 
in  the  llalk,  and  the  feed  ripens  and  hardens 
as  the  hay  is  making. 

The 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         149 

The  feed  will  be  very  fmall,  but  found, 
and  will  grow  very  well ,  it  muft  be  trelhed 
like  corn,  to  take  the  feed  out. 

An  tnglifh  acre  may  produce  upwards  of 
thirty  bufhels  of  feed. 


CHAP. 


Vol.  H.  U 


150        A    NEW    SYSTEM 


CHAP.     XXX. 


7'he    PerfeMion   and  Management  of 
Burnet, 


THE  world  is  obliged  to  one  Mr.  Bar- 
tholemew  Roquc,  who  has  for  many 
years  laft  paft  been  a  farmer  near  London  ; 
but  is  a  native  of  France. 

I  mention  his  place  of  abode,  becaufc 
the  lands  and  climate  near  London  differ 
greatly  from  thofe  in  Ireland,  Scotland  and 
the  north  of  England. 

In  1 76 1  this  plant  was  firft  began  to  be 
cultivated   for  the   ufe    of  cattle.     It   is  a 

pimpcrncll. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         ip 

pimpernell,  and  commonly  cultivated  for 
fallad,  and  has  a  fmell  very  like  green  cu- 
cumber ;  its  feed  is  rough  like  fpinage, 
and  much  about  the  fame  fize  ;  its  fhape  is 
of  a  triangular  oblong  :  the  iphnt  never 
grows  high,  being  of  a  fpreading  creeping 
nature,  and  has  a  very  bufhy  top  ;  it  alfo 
has  an  exceeding  long  root  that  runs  per- 
pendicular, and  therefore  requires  a  deep 
foil. 

Mr.  Rpque*s  account  of  it  is  as  here  fol- 
lovk^s  : 

Says  he  it  muft  be  fown  on  fandy  or  gra- 
velly ground  ;  and  the  longeft  drought  will 
not  in  the  leaft  hurt  it ;  it  alfo  will  either 
grow  or  keep  green  the  entire  winter :  its 
growth  will  be  about  a  half  a  yard  in  length/ 
for  the  winter  half-year  :  it  may  be  mown 
twice  in  the  fummer,  and  will  produce  two 
crops  of  feed  ;  it  may  be  fed  all  the  win- 
ter, vvith  every  fafety  from  injuring  or  kill- 
ing the  plants ;  though  fheep  mull  not  be 
allowed  to  crop  it  too  clofc,  left  they  da- 
mage the  root. 

The  feafon  for  fowing  it,  is,  from  Fe- 
bruary to  July. 

It  will  bear  tranfplanting ;  but  it  muft 
be  fown  the  broad-caft  w^ay  ;  it  muft  alio 
be  trenched  two  or  three  fpades  deep  ;  but 
take  care,  fays  he,  not  to  turn  up  dead 
ground.  Sow 


iSt        A    NEW    SYSTEM 

Sovf  twelve  pounds  of  feed  on  an  En- 
gliJh  acre  ;  harrow  the  ground  before  fov>  - 
ing,  and  lightly  after ;  when  the  feed  is 
ripe,  threfh  it  between  wet  and  dry  ;  the 
liay  ife  very  good  feeding  for  all  forts  of 
cattle. 

He  fays,  that,  if  it  be  laid  up  for  mea- 
dow in  May.  it  will  be  ready  to  cut  for  feed 
the  beginning  of  July. 

If  it  be  mown  for  hay  (having  no  regard 
to  the  feed)  it  will  bring  three  crops  in  a 
year,  and  mud  be  cut  for  hay,  juft  before 
it  begins  to  flower ;  it  muft  be  made  for 
hay,  lllie  ^ny  artificial  grals. 

Such  is  Mr.  Roque's  account  of  burnet ; 
jhrd  as  he  has  a  right  to  know  it  better  than 
any  other  perlon,  being  the  ftrfl  introducer 
I  fhall  neither  add  to,  nor  diminifh  from  his 
experience. 

i-Jowever  I  cannot  help  taking  notice, 
that  if  we  cannot  raife  burnet  to  perfecftion 
v/ithout  digging  two  or  three  fpades  deep, 
as  he  directs,  I  am  afraid  the  expence  will 
overbalance  the  profit :  fince  an  acre  of 
ground,  by  fuch  digging  or  trenching,  and 
tjiat  to  be  doue  only  once  over,  will  coft  at 
lead  about  fix  pounds,  bcfides  leed,  ma- 
nure, land-rent,  and  all  other  naceifary  ex- 
pences. 

Again 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         153 

Again,  if  we  take  care  not  to  turn  up 
any  dead  foil,  we  muft  not  go  above  five  or 
fix  inches  deep  :  becaufc  in  fa(ft,  all  that  lies 
below  the  upper  ftratum  or  corn-mold,  is 
dead  earth,  till  it  is  turned  up  to  the  air, 
and  incorporated  with  manure,  or  roots  of 
fome  fort  or  other  :  for  thefe  are  the  princi- 
ples that  mull  enliven,  ferment  and  bring  it 
to  an  adlive  body  ;  for  till  then  it  is  a  dead 
one. 

So  that  in  fhort,  I  cannot  tell  what  fort 
of  foil  Mr.  Roque  expels  us  to  work  in, 
except  in  garden-mold,  whofe  upper  flra- 
tum  or  furface  is  kept  two  or  three  feet 
deep  by  conftant  trenching. 

I  rather  think  he  Ihould  have  told  us  to 
take  care,  and  not  throw  up  the  under-i^ra- 
tum,  except  it  can  be  done  with  fafety ;  nor 
to  hurt  or  fpoil  the  corn-mold,  y/hich  it 
certainly  muft  do,  if  it  be  a  hungry,  cold, 
red  clay,  or  ramel. 

If  this  be  the  cafe,  as  doubtlefs  it  is,  the 
farmer  muft  fii  ft  examine  how  deep  the  fta- 
ple  of  his  land  is,  and  fix  upon  that  wliich 
(u its  it  beft,  being  the  good  deep  fort :  it  is 
true  a  ftrong  rlay  bottom  may  be  mude  to 
anfwer  for  it ;  but  it  muft  be  by  dint  of  la- 
bour and  manure. 


CHAP. 


154         A     NEW    SYSTEM 


CHAP.     XXXI. 


O;;   ManuriKg    La?id, 


JVjR.  Tull  tells  us  (and  very  warmly  fup- 
ports  his  allertion  i  that  dung  is  a  ufelels 
article  to  a  farmer,  particularly  in  corn- 
land  ;  and  recommends  tillage  before  it ; 
daily  experience  tells  us,  he  was  in  fonic 
degree  miilaken.  For  though  I  admit, 
and  am  as  clearly  fatisfied,  as  he  could  be,, 
that  ploughing  will  enrich  or  fertilize  land  to 
a  great  pitch  ;  yet  I  am  well  convinced, 
that  dung,  manure,  or  compoll  of  any  fort, 
which  bears  a  proportion  of  falts  or  ferti- 
lizing oils,  will  caufe  a  fermentation,  by 
adding  to,  and  mixing  with  the  falts  of  the 
air,  and  therefore  doubtlefs  will  add  to  the 
enriching  of  the  loil.  Again 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         IC5 

Again,  though  reafon  fpcaks  fo  much  in 
favour  of:  enriching  the  foil  by  ploughing  ; 
and  though  Mr.  Tull,  and  all  the  authors 
in  the  world  were  to  make  it  as  plain  as  one 
and  one  makes  two,  that  tillage  is  fufficient 
to  make  poor  land  rich  enough  to  produce 
any  crop  ;  yet  nine  tenths  ot  the  farmers 
would  not  follow  it ;  and  though  a  farmer 
may  give  his  land  a  good  dreffing,  fit  for 
any  crop,  by  ts^^elve  ploughings,  at  about 
thirty  {hillings  cxpence  ;  yet  he  would  ra- 
ther bellow  three  or  four  pounds  an  acre  in 
manure  to  put  thereon. 

So  blind  is  man  to  his  own  intereft,  par- 
ticularly if  it  lead  out  of  the  old  road. 

For  my  part,  I  am  of  Mr.  Tuli's,  and 
feveral  other  authors  opinion ;  and  there- 
fore fhall  not  manure  corn-land,  but  en- 
rich that  by  ploughing,  and  lay  the  manure 
upon  grafs-land;  where  reafon  tells  us  it  is 
of  moil  ufc. 

Firfl,  becaufe  grafs-land  lies  in  a  clofc 
confolidated  body  ;  and  therefore  is  depriv- 
ed of  the  enriching  qualities  of  the  air  pe- 
netrating there  amongll,  which  ploughed 
land  enjoys,  or  receives,  every  time  it  is 
turned  up. 

^Secondly,  it  nourifhes  the  roots  ofgrafs, 
and  fuppreffes,  or  at  leafl  retards  the 
growth  of  mofs. 

Thirdly 


-156        A     NEW     SYSTEM 

Thirdly,  it  is  obfervable,  that  manure 
always  links;  therefore,  if  it  be  laid  on 
when  in  tillage,  it  is  an  equal  chance,  but 
pne  half  of  it  will  be  lort,  becaufe  what  the 
plough  turns  to  the  bottom  of  the  farrow, 
ftill  keeps  finking  lawer  and  lower,  till  it 
gets  out  of  the  reach  of  the  plough  to  turn  up 
or  plant  to  feed  upon  j  but  on  the  ocher 
hand,  when  it  is  laid  on  the  grafs,  or  lay- 
land,  it  drains  through  the  furface  in  its 
paiTage,  and  ferments  with,  lightens  and 
opens  the  earth,  and  makes  it  rich  and 
mellow. 

Fourthly,  dung,  in  particular,  breeds 
weeds,  flies>  worms,  &cc.  which  caufes 
fmut  and  mildew. 

All  thefe  reafons  muft  appear  very  plain 
and  obvious  to  a  farmer's  underftanding  ; 
and  I  would  have  him  to  bear  them  in 
mind  ;  and  when  he  reads  over  the  follow- 
ing lift  of  manures,  he  may  the  more  eafi- 
ly  determine  with  himfelf,  how  to  adapt 
this  or  that  to  its  proper  foil,  or  part  of 
hufbandry,  according  as  it  fuits  his  convc- 
nicncy  for  carriage  and  cheapncfs. 


CHAP. 


OF     HUSBANDRY.        157 


CHAP.    XXXII. 


On  Manures  in  general. 


ANY  thing  that  has  the  moil  falts  or  ni- 
tre, is  thericheft  manure  ;  and  there- 
fore a  lefs  bulk  is  required  to  be  laid  on  the 
land. 

As  for  inftance,  fome  fort  of  marl  re- 
quires to  be  laid  nearly  as  thick  as  the  plough 
goes ;  and  others  not  much  thicker  than 
lime ;  being  fo  ftrong  that  were  too  much 
laid  on,  it  would  overpov/er  or  deflroy  the 
land,  to  fuch  a  degree,  that  nothing  would 
grow  well  for  at  leaft  two  or  three  years  af- 
ter. 

Marl  will  laft  longer  in  the  ground  tham 
any  other  manure. 

Vol.  II.  X  I  have 


158         A    NEWSY  STEM 

I  have  known  land,  which -has  given  fif-^ 
teen  good  crops  running,  alter  being  well 
marled. 

Ffvv  farmers  but  what  may  know  which 
is  the  bell  manure,  and  the  eafied  to  come 
at,  according  to  tJieir  own  lituation  ;  tliere- 
fore  1  Ihxil  leave  them  to  jud;.£e  for  them- 
lelves,  which  fuits  their  purpofe  or  fituation 
beft. 

Horfe  and  cow  dung  is  good  almoft  for 
every  fort  of  meadow-land  ;  but  1  do  not 
approve  of  it  for  corn  :  the  former  is  the 
hx)tteft  in  nature  ;  and  therefore  muft:  (to 
chufe)  be  laid  on  the  coldeft  land  :  every 
one  knov/s  bell:  what  condition  his  land  is 
in,,  whether  rich  or  poor  ;  for  thcroto  it 
inuR  be  fuited  in  quantity. 

Pigeon-dung  is  a  very  rich  manure,  and 
will  bear  land-carriage  better  than  mofl 
others  ;  as  a  little  will  go  a  great  way. 

In  England  it  will  fell  from  ten  to  thir- 
teen pence  per  bufhel  ;  forty  of  which  will 
give  an  Englilh  acre  a  good  dieffing  :  it  muft 
be  fown  upon  the  ground,  and  harrowed  in 
with  the  grain,  by  the  way  of  a  top-dreiring; 
it  will  be  found  to  enrich  the  land  two  or 
three  crops. 

Thofe  that  wauld  make  the  moft  of  a  pi- 
geon-houfe,  fhould  fpread  over  the  floor, 
everv    ten   d'i;s,  three  or  four  buihels   of 

aihe5| 


O  F    HUSBANDB.Y.         ijp 

-afhes  ;  which  will  help  to  keep  the  pigeon- 
'dung  from  caking  together,  and  make  it 
Ipi  ead  even  and  go  farther. 

Hen,  or  fovvls  dung  of  all  forts,  fhould 
be  mixed  with  alhes  lor  the  above  rejlfon. 

Lirtle-houfe  dung  is  one  of  the  richeil:  of 
manures,  but  the  leaft  regarded,  on  account 
of  its  foft,  (linking,  naufeous  quality;  but 
this  is  eafily  cured,  by  throvring  a  fufficient 
quantity  of  roch-lime  into  the  iirtle-hou(c, 
which  will  dry  it  to  fuch  a  coniiilence,  thai: 
it  will  fpread  as  well  as -alhes,  and  have  no 
dif^greeabie  fmell. 

Thirty  bufhels  will  fpread  an  Englilh 
acre :  harrow  it  in  with  the  corn,  by  way 
of  a  top-drefiing  ;  or  Ipread  it  on  in  Febru- 
ary, for  a  wheat  crop. 

Soot  is  a  rich  manure  for  any  kind  of 
land. 

Writers  differ  greatly  in  their  opinion, 
^whether  coal  or  wood  foot  be  the  richeft  or 
bell ;  but  this  is  throwing  words  to  the  wind 
as  no  one  will  change  his  fuel  for  the  fake  of 
"the  difference  in  the  foot :  the  matter  is  fo 
'trifling,  that  it  is  not  worth  entering  into 
any  particulars  about. 

Soot   is  foot ;   and  he   that  lays   fixteen 

"bulhels  on  an  Englilh  acre,  of  any  fort  of 

foot,  gives  his  land  a  good   drelfmg  ;  and 

•kfs  will  not  do:    it  mull  be  harrow  d  la 

^  tvit 


i>6o         A     NEW     SYSTEM. 

with  the  corn,  by  way  of  a  top-drcflTing  ;  or 
it  may  be  Tpread,  after  the  corn  comes  up, 
and  it  will  dcftroy  red  worms  alfo. 

It  will  do  very  well  for  meadow  ;  pro- 
vided it  be  laid  on,  jufl:  after  the  hay  is  got 
off:  it  will  lad  five  or  fix  years  fo  as  to  an- 
fvver  for  crops. 

Afhes  is  another  good  manure  for  a  crop 
or  two,  and  particularly  for  turnips  ;  as 
turnips  fi'om  burn-beating  are  the  fweeteft 
and  bell  of  all  others. 

Afties  are  raifed  by  feveral  means,  and 
from  various  principles. 

Some  by  burn-beating,  others  from  our 
conilant  firing,  fuch  as  coal,  turf  or  wood  : 
the  richeil  of  thefe  is  wood  :  the  next  in 
value  is  turf- :  and  the  worll  of  the  three  is 
coal  :  though  between  turf  and  coal  there 
is  no  material  difference  :  all  forts  of  alhes 
lofe  much  of  their  flrength,  by  being 
thrown  out  of  doors  to  get  wet ;  they  will 
laft  in  the  ground  two  crops. 

A  hundred  and  fixty  bufhels  of  wood- 
allics,  and  two  hundred  and  twenty  of  ei- 
ther turf  or  coal,  is  the  due  for  an  Iriih 
acre,  and  fo  in  proportion  for  an  Engliili 
one  ;  they  mufh  be  harrowed  in  ;  but  if  for 
wheat-land,  it  is  bell  to  fpread  them,  by 
w  ay  of  a  top  dreffing  in  February. 

Burnt 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         i6i 

Burnt  clay,  or  backs  of  ditches  is  another 
forced  manure,  and  will  bring  one  good 
crop  ;  about  three  hundred  and  twenty 
bulhels  on  an  Irilh  acre,  being  two  bufhels 
to  each  fquare  perch,  will  give  land  a  toler- 
able good  dreffing  ;  this  muft  be  harrowed 
in  with  the  corn  ;  as  fo  much  carriage  go- 
ing on  wheat,  would  fpoil  it. 

Now  I  come  to  treat  of  the  mother  of  all 
manures,  namely  fait ;  for  every  fort  of 
manure  is  higher  or  lower  in  value,  accord- 
ing to  the  faits  it  produces  ;  and  every  fort 
of  manure  is  proportioned  to  the  land,  ac- 
cording to  the  quantity  of  falts  or  nitre  it 
is  thought  to  have  in  it,  and  not  to  the  bulk. 

Formerly,  fait  was  thought  to  be  an  im- 
poverilher  of  land  ;  but  experience  has 
taught  wifdom  ;  it  is  now  found  to  be  other- 
wife  ;  provided  it  be  duly  proportioned  to 
the  i\ate  the  land  is  in,  and  mixed  to  mol- 
lify it,  as  follovvs,  viz. 

Take  fix  bulhels  of  fait,  fix  bufhels  of  ^ 
lime,  and  fix  buihels  of  dry  afnes  :  mix  all 
together  :  let  them  lie  fome  time  to  incor- 
porate together  ;  then  fpread  them  on  the 
land,  and  harrow  them  in  with  the  feed  : 
this  is  a  fufficient  dreffing  for  an  Englifli 
acre :  for  it  is  better  to  repeat  it,  than  tQ 
lay  too  much  at  once. 

By 


idz  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

By  being  thus  mixed,  one  particle  incor- 
porates with  and  molitics  the  other.  Sak 
in  itfelf  is  rather  too  levere  and  harih  in  its 
nature,  and  if  laid  too  thick  on,  might 
prove  of  bad  confequence  :  whereas  if  con- 
veyed into  the  earth  by  a  foapy  fmooth  me- 
thod, it  will  prove  the  very  enrichcr  the 
earth  wants  to  fend  forth  vegetation  ;  this 
will  lail  for  three  crops. 

I  am  convinced,  it  a  farmer  was  to  mix 
lalt  with  any  fort  of  earth  or  manure,  and 
let  it  lie  long  enough  to  inco:porate,  he 
might  lay  it  on  thinner  in  bulk,  in  propor- 
tion to  the  falts  it  contained  :  and  he  would 
find  his  ends  in  fo  doing. 

Sea  weeds,  Ihells,  filh,  fea-water,  fea- 
fand  :  all  thefe  bear  a  proportion  of  falts  or 
nitre,  and  therefore  muft  be  efteemed  a 
manure :  though  fuch  will  not  laft  more 
than  two  years  in  a  tillage-crop. 

Old  rags,  rotten  i\icks,  or  in  {hort  any 
thing  will  make  manure  that  will  rot  or  pu- 
trify  :  for  by  luch  comes  on  a  fermentation 
with  the  earth  :  and  crofling  nature,  in  any 
cafe,  makes  it  work,  ferment,  and  divide 
the  particles  of  each  other.  Kven  taking 
one  piece  of  foil,  ten  or  fifteen  perches 
from  its  native  fpot,  and  mixing  it  with  ano- 
ther piece  in  the  fame  field,  will  fct  it  a 
wo- king,  fo  that  oae  will  help  the  other  in 
fertility.  Lime 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         163 

Lime  is  a  manure  known  by  every  one, 
though  but  {ew  know  rightly  how  to  pro- 
portion it  to  the  land :  as  fome  land  will  re- 
quire more  by  twenty  bulhels  an  acre,  than 
ethers  :  and  on  the  other  hand,  a  hundred 
bulliels  of  fome  lime  will  be  ftrong,  and 
give  the  land  as  good  a  dreffing  as  an  hun- 
dred and  thirty  of  others. 

A  farmer  muft  confider  all  thefe  circum- 
ftances  before  he  can  be  a  thorough  judge 
how  to  drefs  his  land  properly :  he  muft 
obferve  that  the  deeper  the  corn-mold  is, 
the  more  lime  is  taken  to  enrich  it :  and  in- 
deed this  is  the  cafe  with  all  forts  of  ma- 
nures ;  therefore  he  muft  bear  this  in  his 
mind  r  it  will  lad  eight  or  nine  years. 

An  hundred  and  lixty  buibels,  being  one 
on  every  fquare  perch,  are  fufficient  for  the 
worft  land  in  England,  at  one  dreffing  :  but 
if  the  lime  be  ftronger  than  common,  low- 
er the  quantity  thirty  or  forty  bufhels. 

The  flrength  of  the  lime  is  known  by  the 
Icffer  or  greater  quantity  of  fand  it  contains : 
for  the  more  grit  or  fand  much  the  weaker 
it  is. 

The  way  to  try  lime-ftone  is,  hy  drop- 
ping a  little  aquse-fortis  on  every  ftone,  that 
is  likely  :  and  if  it  hiffes  and  froths,  it  will 
make  lime  :  but  it  will  take  no  more  effedl 
on  any  other  fort  of  ftone,  than  water 
would.  Lima 


i64         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

Lime  is  one  of  my  favourite  manvires,  as 
I  have  fcen  it  work  miracles  :  and  if  pro- 
perly managed  by  proportion,  never  fails  its 
proprietor. 

The  bell  way  to  try  marl,  lime-ftone- 
gravel,  &cc.  is  with  vinegar :  take  a  glafs 
of  vinegar,  into  which  put  a  little  marl,  or 
lime-ftone  gravel  :  and  if  it  be  good,  it  will 
work  up,  froth  and  fly  in  fparks  over  the 
glafs  like  champaign,  and  make  a  noife  like 
new  barm :  but  if  the  earth  be  poor,  the 
vinegar  will  take  no  effecl :  but  the  earth 
will  fall  to  the  bottom,  without  life  or 
motion,  and  the  vinegar  will  be  quite  fine 
above. 

Soaper's  waRe  is  a  very  good  manure  : 
about  twenty  tons  are  fufficient  for  an  Eng- 
lifh  acre. 

Large  quantities  arc  made  ufe  of  about 
Liverpool:  which  are  brought  over  from 
Dublin,  as  ballaft  in  fhips. 

They  generally  fell  it  for  about  three  flill- 
lings  a  ton.  The  land  will  receive  benefit 
from  this  drelTmg  for  five  or  fix  crops. 

Afhes  made  of  weeds,  for  the  time  they 
iaft,  are  nearly  as  good  a  manure  as  can  be 
laid  on  land  :  and  there  are  few  farmers  but 
what  have  plenty  of  thofe  weeds  about  their 
houfes  :  but  the  way  to  make  the  mofl:  of 
them^  is  to  dig  thern  up  by  th«  roots,  and 

■  take 


OF     ttUSBANDRY.^         165 

take  a  fod  along  with  them  ;  by  this  means 
they  will  yield  a  greater  quantity  of  afhes, 
and  the  roots  are  fuller  of  falts  than  the  top; 
this  manure  is  fpent  by  the  firft  crop ;  and 
therefore  the  fecond  crop  will  not  receive 
much  benefit  by  it. 

Forty  bufhels  will  give  an  Englifh  acre  a 
good  dreffing ;  harrow  them  in,  with  the 
grain ;  or  they  may  be  fpread  on  green 
wheat,  any  time  in  winter  or  fpring,  by 
way  of  a  top-dreffing. 


Vol.11.  Y  CHAP. 


i66        A    NEW     SYSTEM 


CHAP.     XXXIII. 


On  the  Compound  Manure. 


r  M'\ 

4  HIS  compound  manure  as  follows, 
I  have  tried,  and  find  to  be  a  great  en- 
richer,  and  very  cheap. 

Take  eight  bufhels  of  bay-falt,  the  like 
quantity  of  lime,  and  the  like  quantity  of 
allies  ;  mix  all  thefe  together,  and  let  them 
lie  two  or  three  days  in  a  heap,  and  fprin- 
kle  over  it  four  gallons  of  train-oil,  or  for 
want  of  that,  the  fame  quantity  of  any  fort 
of  greafe  boiled,  and  ten  gallons  of  cham- 
ber-lie. 

If  you  intend  it  for  corn-land,  throw  up 
the  corn-mold  in  the  middle  of  the  field 
you  intend  to  manure,  to  the  bulk  of  about 
fixty  bufhels  ;  with  this  mix  the  compound 
well ;  then  ciap  it  up  clofe  in  a  heap  ;  and 

turn 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         167 

turn  it  every  week,  till  you  lay  it  on  the 
land  :  the  oftener  you  turn  it,  the  better, 
as  the  air  will  affift  the  different  particles  in 
working  or  fermenting  together. 

If  you  provide  it  fix  or  twelve  months  be- 
fore it  is  wanted,  the  better  and  fmoothcr 
it  will  be. 

This  is  alio  to  be  applied  as  a  top- 
dreffing,  either  to  be  harrowed  in  with 
the  grain,  or  fown  over  green  wheat  in 
winter. 

Jf  you  would  lay  it  on  grafs  lay-land,  mix 
it  v/ith  backs  of  ditches,  or  the  like,  in  the 
mod  convenient  place  for  carriage.:  the  befl 
time  to  fpread  it  on  the  meadow-ground, 
is,  about  Michaelmas  ;  but,  if  corn -land, 
harrow  it  in  with  the  feed  :  this  is  a  due 
quantity  for  an  Englifh  acre. 

The  expence,  in  the  middle  of  England, 
would  be  about  twenty  (hillings.  And  the 
ground  will  be  better  for  three  or  four 
crops. 

Malt-dufl  is  an  exceeding  good  manure 
for  ftrong  or  deep  land,  by  way  of  a  top- 
dreffing,  either  to  be  harrowed  in  with  the 
feed,  or  (own  on  in  the  beginning  of  Fe- 
bruary. 

Sixty  bufhels  is  a  good  dreiTrng  for  an 
Engliih  acre. 

It 


i68  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

It  is  particularly  good  to  fow  on  a  crop 
of  green  wheat  ;  but  if  it  be  fown  among 
fpring-corn,  it  muft  be  harrowed  in,  along 
with  the  feed. 

It  will  anfwer  for  fand-lancl ;  but,  in  this 
cafe,  it  fhould  be  laid  on  early  in  winter. 

This  manure  will  not  laft  longer  than 
two  crops. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         169 


€  H  A  P.     XXXIV. 


On  Liquid  Manure, 


J^  H I  S  is  a  ftagnated  refervoir  of  water, 
of  a  rich,  green,  or  blackilli  colour  ;  and 
few  farmers  in  England  JDut  what  have  it 
near  their  houfes,  by  way  of  horfe  ponds, 
and  where  cattle  drink,  or  ftand  to  keep 
them  from  flies  in  fvimmer,  which  by  their 
urine  and  dung  is  turned  green  or  black, 
and  made  very  rich  ;  alfo  where  dung-hills 
.  difcharge  themfelves  into ;  as  there  is  gene- 
rally a  receptacle  for  fuch  near  a  houfe. 

I  am  greatly  furprifed  to  fee  this  valuable 
manure  made  no  ufe  of  in  America,  Eng- 
land, Ireland,  or  Scotland  :  did  the  far- 
mers know  the  value  of  it,  as  well  as  I  do, 
they  would  not  have  one  gallon  loft. 

In 


I70         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

In  Germany  and  Flanders,  they  think 
more  of  it  than  they  do  of  a  dunghill,  and 
will  go  and  buy  a  pit  of  liquid  manure,  and 
carry  it  feveral  miles. 

They  make  their  little-houfe  dung  into 
liquid  manure. 

In  Ihort,  I  know  nO  manure  that  is  more 
certain  to  give  one  a  good  crop,  than  this. 

The  fir  ft  time  I  tried  it,  was,  in  watering 
a  garden  out  of  a  hurfe-pond,  which-  the 
dunghill  dripped  into  ;  I  found  a  fediment 
at  the  bottom,  which  I  conftantly,  at  the 
time  I  was  uling  it,  kept  ftirring  from  the 
bottom,  fo  as  to  raife  all  the  fediment  or 
manure. 

1  never  ufed  any  other  dung,  yet  1  had 
remarkably  great  garden-crops ;  fuch  let- 
tuce I  never  faw  ,  my  grofs-lettuce  was  like 
cabbages. 

I  watered  my  wall-fruit,  fuch  as  peaches, 
nectarines,  apricots,  rigs,  vines,  and  cher- 
ries ;  and  I  never,  in  my  life,  either  had  or 
fav/  fo  great  crops. 

The  next  time  I  had  an  opportunity  to 
try  it,  was  in  this  manner,  viz. 

It  happened  to  be  a  dry  fummcr,  and 
corn  was  dear;  which  was  the  occafion  of 
many  beggars  ;  which,  indeed,  Ireland 
never  wants  (for  it  was  in  Ireland)  being 
naturally  of  a  charitable  difpofition,  I  gave 
a  deal  away.  Whe.x 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  171, 

When  flurdy  able  beggars  ufed  to. come, 
it  was  natural  to  alk,    why  they  did   not. 
work ;  the  anfwer  was,  they  could  get  no 
work. 

At  this  time,  I  had  little  employment  for 
labourers  ;  however,  I  was  refolved  to 
ftrike  out  fome  work  for  them.  1  had  a 
meadow  near  the  houfe,  which  was  burn- 
ing by  the  heat  of  the  fun ;  for  it  was  a  very 
hot  time. 

I  got  tubs,  that  held  about  four  gallons 
each,  and  agreed  to  give  ev^ery  beggar, 
that  faid  he  wanted  work,  a  farthing  for 
every  tub  of  water  he  carried  out  of  a 
horfe-pond,  and  fpread  over  the  field  ,  I 
kept  the  water  always  ftiriing,  to  raife  all 
the  mud  I  could. 

This  fcheme  anfwered  two  or  three  good 
ends,  as  far  as  it  continued  to  take  place. 

Firft,  it  got  the  people  a  little  money. 

Secondly,  it  raifed  me  an  exceeding  good 
crop  of  hay. 

Thirdly,  it  effe<5lually  cleared  the  houfe 
of  beggars ;  for  it  was  foon  reported,  that 
if  they  came  near  my  houle,  they  would  be 
made  work ;  but,  as  it  proved,  this  was 
the  worft  part  of  the  ftory,  for  they  left  me 
too  foon ;  if  they  had  flaid,  I  Ihould  have 
had  a  good  crop  of  hay  through  the  field, 
but  they  left  me  by  the  time  an  acre  was 

manured : 


i7e         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

manured:  it  coft  me  between  four  and  f-/e 
{hillings,  but  a  good  many  tubs  were  carried 
gratis  ;  for  when  fome  of  them  had  carried 
two  or  three  tubs,  if  I  turned  my  back  or 
went  into  the  houfe,  they  threw  down  their 
veffels  and  fneaked  off  without  afking  for 
their  wages. 

I  would  advife  every  gentleman  or  farmer 
ta  provide  themfelves  with  a  (launch  pit  or 
refer  voir  for  this  purpofe,  fo  fituated  as  to 
receive  all  the  drippings  of  their  dung-hills, 
hog-yards,  or  wafhing  water,  or  the  like. 

In  order  to  carry  it  on  the  land,  fix  a 
hogfliead  in  a  cart,  the  hind  part  ot  which 
muft  be  loweR  :  inclofe  the  cart  with  boards 
and  the  hind  board  muft  be  bored  fiill  of 
gimlet  holes  all  the  breadth  of  the  body :  the 
top  or  bung  hole  of  the  hogfhead  being  be- 
hind, let  go  the  M^ater  and  the  gimlet  holes 
will  divide  it  the  breadth  of  the  cart^  m  the 
nature  of  a  water  pot. 

Keep  the  horfes  moving  flowly  on,  and 
the  water  unlades  itfelf  equally  over  the 
land. 

Carry  out  your  water  in  the  firft  dry  time, 
fo  the  land  will  not  cut:  it  is  valuable  for 
grafs  or  corn :  broad  wheels  are  moft  pro- 
per for  this  work. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  173 


C  H  A  P.     XXXV. 


On  Clay  and  Sand:  fiewing  how\  when  mix- 
ed together,  they  operate  to  make  good/oil^ 
though  when  feparated  they  are  of  very  Ih- 
tle  ufe. 


TH  E  mo  ft  delirable  ftate  of  land,  is 
that  of  a  loamy  clay  :  it  is  known  in 
fbme  parts  of  England  by  the  name  of  wrap- 
land  ;  it  is  in  a  middling  ftate,  neither  a 
binding  clay,  noF-a  loofe  fand,  it  is  a  mix- 
ture of  both,,  but  the  clay  is  moft  predo- 
minant, which  is  the  reafon  why  it  is  called 
a  loamy  clay;  it  is  of  a  bluilh  greafy  colour: 
it  is  generally  of  a  deep  llaple,  and  if  it  be 
well  tilled,  fcarce  ever  fails  of  bringing  a 
Vol.  II.  Z  good 


174-         A     NEW     SYSTEM 

good  crop  of  any  fort :  nothing  can  be  fown 
in  it  (fuitable  to  the  climate)  but  what  it  will 
make  nonrifh. 

The  next  in  value  is  that  of  a  loamy  fand ; 
this  is  alfo  a  mixture  of  clay  and  land  ;  but 
in  this  the  fand  is  mod  predominant,  there- 
fore the  emphafis  or  ftrefs  ol'the  word  is  laid 
on  fand  :  this  flaple  of  earth  extends  irfelf 
to  that  of  hazel  earth  ;  for  tho'  hazel  earth 
and  laamy  fand  differ  in  name,  in  quality 
they  are  nearly  alike,  only  the  lighter  and 
opener  they  are,  the  more  fand  is  in  the 
compound. 

Sometimes  indeed  the  fand  is  mixed  with 
a  black,  light,  fmooth  earth,  inclined  to  a 
turf,  or  peat-mold. 

This  is  a  light  water-fhaken  earth,  and 
lower  in  value,  than  if  mixed  with  a  flrong 
clay. 

In  my  travels  through  England  I  have  of- 
ten feen  a  farm,  one  part  of  which  was  a 
flrong,  tough,  obdurate  clay,  and  another 
a  light  blowing  fand  :  fo  that  in  fa(ft,  the 
two  bodies  feparate,  lie  in  a  barren  ufelefs 
ftate. 

If  we  lay  dung  upon  the  fand,  its  loofe 
open  nature  foon  lets  the  falts  drain  through 
it,  fo  that  its  virtue  is  foon  exhaufted. 

If  we  lay  it  on  the  tough  clay,  its  particles 
are  too  weak  to  adhere  to  it,  or  to  open  or 

divide 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         175 

divide  the  folid  cpngealed  bo Jy  ol  clay,  fo 
as  to  work  it  by  fermentation,  iuid  open  or 
divide  it  into  fmall  particles,  widioat  ii;i  im- 
menle  quantity. 

And  where  there  is  fo  little  laid  on,  as  not 
to  eilabliih  itlelf  into  this  confolidate(i  body, 
or  move  it  by  fermentation,  it  mtics  away 
with  every  fhower  of  rain  that  falls,  and 
runs  off  by  the  furface,  or  purges  itfelf  out 
of  any  vent-hole  it  can  find. 

But  if  a  coat  of  fand  was  laid  on  the  bed 
of  clay,  it  would  be  fure  to  make  its  way 
amongll  it,  bccaufe  it  is  of  a  cutting,  pon- 
derous frarching  nature  ;  therefore  it  will 
divide  the  glutinous  clinging  body  of  clay, 
into  fmall  particles,  which  would  cling  or 
flick  to  every  grain  of  fand. 

The  nature  of  the  two  bodies  mixing  to- 
gether thus,  admits  or  rather  opens  a  paf- 
lage  for  the  air  to  penetrate  amongfi:  it,  fo 
as  to  caufe  a  fermentation  ;  for  nothing  wil 
or  can  ferment  without  air. 

It  is  the  air  that  raifes  every  thing  to  life 
and  action  :  it  is  the  air  that  is  conveyed  into 
drink  in  the  body  of  barm  that  makes  it 
work  or  ferment  :  this  is  the  cafe  in  flour 
alfo  ;  for  conveying  the  air  among  the  fiour 
by  the  means  of  the  barm,  caufes  a  ferment- 
ation :  for  barm  is  fcarce  any  thing  elfe  but 
air;  you  fee,  if  you  put  new  ale  into  bot- 
tles. 


176  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

ties,  before  it  has  purged  itfclf  of  barm,  or 
more  properly  ipeaking  of  air,  it  will  burft 
the  bottles. 

Or  if  you  drink  it,  you  convey  among 
the  body  of  n\<:  drink,  air  into  your  own 
belly,  which  you  generally  difchargc  foon 
after  in  a  bre?.ch  of  wind. 

I  mention  thcle  things  to  open  the  ideas 
more  fully  to  my  reader,  that  he  may  know 
what  1  mean  by  fermentation :  for  if  he 
does  not  open  a  pailagc  into  the  body  of 
clay  with  lome  mlirument,  or  compound, 
io  as  to  admit,  or  make  a  palTage  for  the  air 
to  penetrate  therein,  to  raife  it  to  action  by 
fermentation,  it  will  remain  a  dead  inactive 
body ;  and  if  any  Iced  happei  to  be  bound 
or  mclolcd  therein,  it  will  never  grow  or 
v-cgetate  till  the  earth  is  opened  about  it  to 
give  it  air. 

I  fay  any  fort  of  feed  th?3t  contains  an  oily 
matter,  iuch  as  rape-feed,  cabbage-feed, 
turnip-fccd,  kctlock-iced,  muftard-fccd,  or 
the  like,  will  lie  in  the  ground  a  thou  land 
years  or  more,  and  will  neither  rot  nor 
grow,  till  it  gets  air. 

The  oil  prefcrves  it  from  rotting,  and 
grow  it  cannot,  unlefs  it  be  raifed  to  adion 
l3y  fermentation,  and  fuch  fermentation  can- 
not mile  without  air. 

This 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         177 

This  is  evidently  experienced  almoft  eve- 
<iy  day  :  for  if  we  plough  up  a  piece  of  lay 
land  that  has  not  been  ploughed  for  feveral 
generations,  there  is  great  odds  ;  but  upon 
being  turned  up,  fome  of  thefe  oily  feeds 
I  mentioned  will  grow  :  and  it  is  evident 
that  they  would  have  grown  before,  if  they 
had  air. 

1  mention  thefe  things  to  prove  how  ne- 
ceffary  it  is  to  open  the  earth,  either  by  til- 
lage, or  by  mixing  different  natures  toge- 
ther. 

And  as  we  fee  that  loain  is  the  beft  fort 
of  corn  mold,  how  eafy  is  it  to  make  a 
loam,  by  mixing  fand  and  clay  together. 

If  a  held  be  a  ftrong  clay,  lay  a  cart  load 
of  fand  upon  every  fquare  perch  and  this 
will  make  a  compound  or  body  of  earth, 
commonly  called  loamy  clay,  bccaufe  clay 
is  the  ])redominant  article. 

This  will  open  and  divide  the  body  of 
clay ;  the  air  will  incorporate  therewith, 
-and  bring  on  a  fermentation,  which  will 
fwell^  open  and  reduce  the  earth  to  a  friend- 
ly confiilence,  vvhich  v/iil  admit  the  roots 
■of  plants  to  incorporate  or  iearch  among  it 
for  their  food. 

Suppofe  a  field  be  fand,  it  is  of  little  ufe, 
perhaps  to  its  proprietor,  as  it  will  not  feed 
either  the  roots  of  corn  or  grafs  ;  that  is,  it 

is 


178  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

is  of  too  open  a  nature,  and  wants  a  flimy, 
fmooth,  gluey  fubllance  (fuch  as  clay  con- 
fifts  of)  among  it  to  unite  the  gritty,  pebbly 
particles  of  the  fand  together ;  each  of 
which  particles  before  was  a  caUfed,  hard, 
feparate  body,  out  of  which  iilued  no  nou- 
rifhment  for  plants,  as  the  grain  or  itaple 
w^s  too  coarfe  or  large  for  the  fine  fibres  of 
a  root  to  feed  upon  ;  but  when  clay  is  in- 
troduced amongft  it,  the  flimy,  fmoother 
particles  thereof  wrap  round  or  clog  about 
the  grains  of  fand,  which  being  affilled  by 
the  air,  and  the  falts  thereof,  divides  thefe 
little  flubborn  round  bodies  into  Imaller 
particles,  by  Ihelling  or  melting  fcale  aftpr 
icale  from  them  :  fo  that  the  body  of  the 
fand,  and  that  of  the  clay,  being  mehed 
into  a  thin,  fine,  fmooth  matter,  between 
them  they  create  a  nourifhing  fine  food  for 
plants. 

Thus  farmers  fee  how  effential  it  is  to 
mix  fand  and  clay  together.  A  two-horfe 
cart-load  of  clay  upon  every  f([uare  perch 
of  fand  land,  would  change  the  nature  of 
the  foil  to  fuch  a  degree,  that  it  might  be 
called  a  loamy  fand,  which  is  the  fecond 
befl  earth. 

The  above  is  taking  in  all  forts  of  clay 
and  fand,  as  it  fpeaks  in  general,  becaufe  a 
mixture,  let  it  be  what  fort  it  will,  is  valu- 
able 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         179 

able  ;  but  however  there  are  different  de- 
grees of  both  clay  and  fand,  and  where  we 
are  fo  lucky  as  to  find  on  our  lands,  that 
which  contains  the  moft  falts,  it  is  the  great- 
eft  treafure. 

Moft  marls  are  a  fort  of  clay,  and  differ 
according  to  the  colour  and  weight  of  falts 
or  oils  contained  in  them. 

According  to  the  quantity  of  falts  or  oils 
you  fuppofe  your  marl  or  clay  to  contain, 
and  the  depth  of  foil  or  corn-mold  you 
have  to  work  in,  fo  proportionably  mix  your 
marl  or  clay  and  fand  together. 

The  blue  marl  and  brown  marl  arc  near- 
ly of  one  ftrength :  they  arc  generally  very 
hard  to  be  dug:  fometimes  the  labourers 
are  obliged  to  ufe  pick-axes  to  loofen  it  with 
ready  for  the  fpade. 

Thefe  are  good  forts  of  marl,  and  to  be 
found  in  many  places  in  England  and  Scot- 
land, where  they  lie  difregarded,  owing  to 
their  owners  not  knowing  their  value. 

When  they  come  to  be  laid  on  the  land, 
and  expofed  to  the  air,  they  fall  to  duft, 
and  melt  with  rain  or  froft  :  any  clay  or 
marl  that  does  this,  is  fure  to  contain  a 
great  body  of  falts ;  for  it  is  thefe  that  fhi- 
ver  and  melt  the  earth  about  them  to  come 
at  the  air,  and  the  air  at  them. 

A  deep 


i8o        A    NEW    SYSTEM^ 

A  deep  corn-mold,  and  particularly  it* 
fandy,  will  take  about  three  cart  loads  to  two 
fquare  perches,  at  five  yards  and  a  half  per 
perch. 

The  next  marl  in  quality,  and  which  is 
moft  fuitable  to  ftrong  land,  ia  white  fhelly 
marl,  it  generally  lies  under  bogs  and  mo- 
rafles  :  it  is  light,  but  of  a  very  rich  nature, 
has  a  great  likenefs  to  lime,  and  indeed  will 
almoft  go  as  far  as  flecked  lime  in  manuring: 
however  it  may  be  laid  on  a  cartload  to  each 
Iquare  perch,  without  hurting  the  land,  tho* 
lefs  may  do. 

The  next  is  a  frcc-ftone-marl :  it  is  white 
as  lime,  but  has  no  fhells  in  it ;  it  is  moft 
proper  for  clay;  it  has  a  fharp  acid  fpirit, 
and  therefore  muft  be  laid  thin  on  the  land ; 
it  is  the  worft  of  all  marls. 

There  are  three  clays,  the  blue,  red  and 
white ;  the  beft  of  thele  for  manure  to  fand 
land  is  the  blue,  as  it  comes  the  neareft  to 
marl:  but  they  will  all  melt  and  open  when 
mixed  with  the  fand. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.        i8i 


CHAP.    XXXVL 


On  Clay,  Sand  and  MarU 


THERE  are  feveral  denominations  of 
fands  and  gravel ;  of  thefe  the  lime- 
ftone  gravel  is  the  belt  ;  it  abounds  greatly 
all  over  Ireland,  except  in  the  county  af 
Cork. 

This  is  of  a  very  rich  quality,  particu- 
larly if  it  be  of  the  marly  fort :  in  fad  it  is 
no  other  than  marl ;  only  that  is  m^ixed  with 
a  fmall  blue  lime-ftone,  from  the  fize  of  a 
hazel-nut,  to  a  good  fized  paving-flone, 
which  would  all  burn  and  make  good  lime: 
it  is  thofe  that  give  it  the  name  of  li^e- 

ftonc 
Vol.  U.  A  a 


rS/         A    NEW    SYSTENf 

ilonc  gravel :  it  is  a  very  valuable  manure 
ani-l  which  contributes  greatly  to  enrich  Ire- 
land. 

A  coat  of  this  will  change  ling  or  heathy 
ground,  to  ihamrocks  or  wild  clover ;  it  is 
to  be  met  with  in  Scotland  and  England,  in 
foine  places. 

There  is  another  fort  of  lime-ftone  gra- 
vel, which  is  of  the  gritty,  fandy  kind  ;  but 
it  is  not  fo  good  as  the  marly  fort :  it  is 
fuitable  for  clay-land. 

There  is  a  iort  of  fand  in  Ireland,  that  is 
alfo  very  good  manure  for  ftrong  land.  I 
have  lecn  it  in  England,  but  never  faw  it 
made  ufe  of. 

In  (act  the  Englifh  farmers  are  not  fo  piy- 
ing  into  the  bowels  of  the  earth  as  they 
ought  to  be,  to  find  out  thefe  valuable  ma- 
nures :  this  fand  is  of  a  rough,  round,  grit- 
ty kind,  a  bluilh  caft ;  it  abounds  much 
vvith-falts.  I  have  feen  it  produce  amazing- 
ly great  crops  both  of  corn  and  grafs,  for 
fifteen  or  fixteen  years  together. 

Sea-fand  is  another  good  manure,  where 
farmers  are  fituatcd  conveniently,  fo  that 
ta^t'iage  will  not  bring  it  too  high. 

The  red  or  blue  fand  that  lies  on  the  fur- 
face  of  the  earth,  in  many  parts  of  England 
and  fuch  as  wc  raifc  corn  in,  is  no  manure, 

except 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         183 

except  to  clay-laiiil,  as  above  obferved;  and 
it  is  on  luch  land  as  this  that  clay  is  fo  valu- 
able, where  marl  cannot  be  got. 

Chalk  is  an  excellent  manure  for  clay- 
ground,  and  will  lail  many  yeai-s  ;  it  is-  ve- 
ry good  for  fand,  but  not  of  that  value  as 
for  clay. 

What  adds  to  the  value  of  chalk,  clays, 
or  marl  as  manure,  is  their  lading  fo  long 
in  the  ground. 

If  land  be  well  covered  with  any  of  thefe 
heavy  manures,  it  will  fhew  their  value  bv 
throwing  up  good  crops  for  ten  or  fii'teen 
years. 

Such  bodies  of  manure  are  very  ponder- 
ous, and  therefore  generally  keep  finking 
till  they  get  below  the  reach  of  the  plough 
to  turn  up  :  when  this  happens  it  Ihould  be 
trench-ploughed. 

The  beft  method  of  liming,  marling, 
claying  or  chalkirg  land,  is  to  lay  thofe 
■manures  on  the  fod  :  and  let  them  remain 
(after  being  fpread)  for  one  year  or  tvv^o  be- 
fore the  land  is  ploughed,  in  order  that  they 
may  adhere,  grow  or  incorporate  with  the 
earth,  which  will  make  them  much  more 
valuable  and  Lifting.  Befides,  the  air  ope- 
rates more  violently  and  quickly  upon  them 
:by  their  being  expo  fed,  w^hich  if  they  were 

coverei 


184         A     NEW     SYSTEM 

covered  with  earth  they  would  in  fome  de- 
gree be  Icreened  from  ;  and  it  is  the  air  that 
caufes  them  to  open  and  fhiver  to  pieces, 
and  ferment  with  the  corn  mold,  as  will  ap- 
pear more  fully  in  the  next  chapter. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         185 


CHAP.     XXXVII. 


On  the  weakeft  and  worji  of  all  Sands,  or 
worn-out  or  fired  Earth :  how  to  make 
Marl  or  Clay  unite  thereto,  &c. 


AS  I  have  feen  a  bad  blowing  white  {and 
in  many  parts  of  England,  and  par- 
ticularly in  Norfolk,  which  has  baffled  all 
the  Norfolk  farmer's  boafted  management 
to  improve,  and  the  fame  is  in  fome  parts 
of  America ;  I  (hall  beftow  a  chapter  on  this 
fort  alone,  and  (hall  think  my  time  well 
fpent,  if  I  can  put  them  in  a  way  to  make 
fuch  land  ufeful,  as  at  prelent  lies  ufelefs 
and  neglecfted. 

There  are  two  forts  of  what  we  call  blow-^ 
ing  fand,  viz.  white  and  grey  which  is  of  a 
very  fmooth,   fine  grain,  and  deflitute   of 

any 


lU  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

any  clayey,  oily,  or  glutinous  fubflance  to 
iiold  it  together,  or  for  plants  to  feed  upon. 

Among  the  many  tracls  of  this  fort  in 
England,  I  lliall  mention  one  which  lies 
round  Thetford  in  Norfolk.  Though  the 
Norfolk  farmers  imagine  themfclves  fuperior 
to  any  other  for  management,  yet  they  con- 
fefs  themfelves  not  qualified  to  impro\e  this 
fort  of  foil;  and  the  reafon  they  give,  is 
that  it  is  fo  poor  and  weak,  that  the  marJ 
or  clay  will  not  unite  therewith,  of  which 
they  have  great  plenty  under  thefe  beds  of 
fand  in  mo  ft  parts  of  Norfolk. 

I  was  told  of  a  farmer  near  Thetford,  who 
was  noted  for  being  a  better  manager  than 
the  reft  of  the  neighbours ;  I  went  to  view 
his  crops,  and  was  agreeably  furprifed  to 
fee  about  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of 
barley,  that  was  extremely  good,  in  the 
midft  of  a  very  fandy,  barren  country  ;  in 
■{hort,  one  acre  might  juftly  be  deemed  as 
good  as  any  of  the  beft  two  I  faw  in  the 
country  ;  the  crop  might  be  judged  to  pro- 
duce forty-four  bulhels  an  acre,  upon  an 
average. 

This  farmer  had  been  brought  up  a  fhop- 
keeper,  and  had  taken  this  farm  a  lew  years 
before,  to  the  no  fmall  diverfion  of  fome  of 
the  bigotted  farmers  about  him,  who  hoped 
to  fee  him  breal:,  for  his  prefiiming  to  be  a 
farmer.  Hr 


or   HUSBANDRY.  t%j 

He  was  a  rational,  fenfible  man,  and  laid 
Bis  plans  upon  reafon,  and  not  upon  old 
Guftoms,  which  are  very  prevailing  amongft 
the  illiterate,  however  abfurd. 

The  rent  of  the  farm  was  two  hundred 
pounds  a  year,  for  which  he  had  perhaps 
about  twelve  hundred  acres  of  land,  fome- 
part  of  which  was  valued  at  five  Shillings  aa 
at:re,  and  oth^r  at  little  or  nothing. 

His  chief  improvement  conlifted  of  marl- 
ing on  the  fod,  for  the  land  had  been  a 
fheep-walk  for  many  years ;  it  had  been- 
ploughed  formerly  till  they  could  get  no 
more  corn,  and  then  left  to  chance.  It  had 
been  perhaps  twenty  or  thirty  years  in  com- 
ing to  a  thin  fod,  which  was  fcarce  then  fuf- 
ficient  to  keep  the  wind  from  blowing  the 
ground  away;  and  though  the  flieep  were 
fmali,  two  acres  would  fcarce  keep  one  of 
them  alive. 

His  crops  confided  chiefly  of  barley^  rye, 
turnips  and  clover  :  he  had  a  little  wheat 
on  his  bcft  land,  that  had  been  ftrongly 
marled. 

He  marled  upon  lay  ;  though  moft  farm- 
ers in  Norfolk  marl  upon  fallow,  or  broken 
ground  ;  this  is  the  rock  they  fplit  upon, 
where  they  ufe  it  at  ail.  But  indeed  m.arl 
is  much  negle(R:ed  in  Norfolk  ;  I  do  not 
know  a  county  in  England,  that  is  more 

capable 


i88         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

capable  of  improvement  by  marl  than  this, 
were  they  to  apply  it  with  judgment. 

The  fad  is,  the  country  is  moftly  under 
tillage  of  barley,  clover,  rye-grafs  and  tur- 
nips :  the  clover  and  rye-grafs  feldom  lie 
above  one  crop,  or  at  moft  tw^o,  before 
they  break  ir  up  again  for  turnips  ;  there- 
fore tney  are  neceffitated  to  marl  upon  bro- 
ken ground,  except  they  would  lay  it  upon 
the  clover-ftubble  as  foon  as  the  barley  is 
off ;  which  by  the  bye,  is  the  befl  way,  tho* 
they  have  not  the  leall  notion  of  it. 

Were  they  to  do  this,  the  ftubble  would 
keep  it  up,  till  the  young  clover  grew  thro* 
and  united  and  incorporated  it  with  the  fod 
or  corn -mold  ;  the  frofl  would  alfo  fhiver 
and  temper  the  clods,  and  bring  them  to  a 
reparation  :  this  is  one  great  reafon  why  all 
clays  or  marls  ought  to  lie  on  the  fod  a  year 
or  two  expofed,  and  to  unite  therewith. 

But  on  the  contrary,  the  Norfolk  farmers 
lay  it  on  a  loofe,  fine,  weak  foil ;  there  it  is 
in  clods,  tumbled  about  with  the  plough, 
in  the  courfe  of  the  fallow  ;  and  as  it  is  2 
clofe,  heavy  body,  it  is  generally  covered 
and  fcreened  from  the  air  by  the  corn  mold, 
fo  confequently  as  the  mold  about  it  is  a 
dead  ina^ivc  body,  having  no  moift  or  oily 
matter,  fuch  as  grafe  or  clover  roots  a- 
mongft  it  to  incorporate  or  raifc  into  a  fer- 
mentation ; 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         189 

mentation  ;  I  fay,  for  want  of  thefe  affift- 
ances,  the  dead,  weak,  light  body  of  fand, 
or  corn-mold,  has  not  fufficient  ftrength  to 
adhere  or  unite  with  the  heavy  body  of  clay ; 
therefore  the  two  parties  he  each  inadive  in 
itfelf. 

This  evidently  Ihewed  itfelf  to  be  the  cafe 
between  the  above  farmer's  good  crops,  and 
his  neighbours  flarved  bad  ones  ;  many  of 
which  were  fcarce  worth  reaping,  which 
had  been  marled  on  the  fallow,  though  the 
marl  and  land  were  all  of  one  nature ;  there- 
fore, it  was  plain  that  his  fuperiority  of 
crops  proceeded  from  no  other  caufe,  but 
that  of  being  marled  on  the  fod ;  the  roots 
of  grafs,  or  other  vegetables  raoiilen  and 
unite  the  two  bodies  of  earth  :  and  its  acid 
and  nitrous  nature  raufes-  a  fermentation, 
which  is  produdive  of  a  mixture  and  unions 
that  could  never  take  place  between  two  fuch 
dead  and  inactive  bodies,  as  the  fand  and 
marl  are  alone  in  themielves. 

If  it  fhould  be  alledgcd,  that  the  frefh- 
nefs  or  reft  this  grafs  land  had  got,,  by  lying 
fo  long  dormant,  or  in  a  (heep  walk,  was 
the  caufe  of  fo  great  a  produce  in  the  crops: 
iiich  a  fuppofition  is  anfwered  by  feveral  ex- 
periments, that  were  tried  in  the  fame  forft 
.  of  ground  ;  nay  the  fame  Iheep  walk  which 
neither  hedge  nor  ditch  parted,  viz. 

Vol.  II.  Bh  That 


j^o        A    NEW     SYSTEM 

That  all  the  farmers,  except  he  who  had 
the  good  crops,  break  up  their  grafs  land  by 
tallow,  and  Tow  it  with  turnip  feed;  and 
two  or  three  farmers,  particularly,  had 
marled  upon  the  fallow,  but  their  crops 
were  not  half  fo  good  as  his,  which  was 
marled  on  the  Ibd  ;  and  upon  turning  up 
earth,  it  w-as  eafy  to  difcover  the  marl  lying 
in  lumps,  in  the  fame  inadive  Hate  as  when 
lain  on  ;  this  was  alfo  the  caie  with  all  the 
old  going  corn  land  in  the  neighbourhood, 
which  had  been  more  marled  in  the  courfe 
of  tillage.  But  upon  repeated  trials  they 
find  it  docs  not  anfwer,  therefore  feldom 
marl  at  all. 

It  is  a  prevailing  opinion,  and  a  common 
laying  among  them,  that  their  land  is  too 
weak  for  marl,  that  the  marl  and  fand  will 
not  mix  or  unite  together. 

An  open  town-field  lay  next  to  the  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres  of  good  barley,  the 
owners  of  which ^had  fevcral  ridges  mixed 
among  his  neighbours  in  that  field,  feveral 
of  which  he  had  marled  upon  fallow  ;  but 
had  no  better  crops  on  thefe  than  the  reft 
of  his  neighbours. 

All  thefe  circumftances  proved  beyond  a 
contradidion,  to  the  opinion  of  the  farmers 
there,  that  marl  will  not]  anfWer  with 
them,  but  upon  grafs-land,  which  had  r)nly 

been 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         191 

!been  lately  tried  ;  for  the  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  good  barky  was  the  firil  m- 
(lance,  and  fourth  crop  after  marling. 

It  is  worth  obferving,  that  this  [enfible 
farmer  forefaw  the  fuccefs  which  would  ac- 
crue from  marling  the  faid  land  on  the  fod, 
as  he  took  a  leafe  of  the  farm  at  double  iis 
former  rent,  though  feveral  people  had  been 
broke  on  it ;  but  he  on  the  contrary,  was 
making  a  good  fortune  ;  |for  the  crops  I 
faw  on  the  ground,  were  at  leaft  worth  ten 
rents. 

He  had  better  turnips  than  any  one  elfe  ^ 
which  enabled  him  to  keep  a  large  flock  of 
ihcep  :  he  kept  every  thing  as  private  as  he 
could,  and  defired  me  to  take  no  notice  of 
what  I  had  feen  ;  for  which  reafon  I  fup- 
prefs  his  name. 

Many  farmers  looked  upon  his  crops  v/ith 
wonder,  and  a  longing  eye ;  but  partly  de- 
fpaired  of  making  his  cafe  their  own ;  as  his 
land  had  been  fo  many  years  coming  to  a 
fod :  and  theirs  was  chiefly  broken  land. 

To  fum  up  what  has  been  faid,  all  the 
'  above  obfervations,  as  well  as  reafon,  prove 
clearly,  that  marl  is  a  treafure,  when  found 
and  applied  properly  to  light  fandy  land ; 
but  yet  the  fame  obfervations  prove,  that  it 
cannot  be  applied  with  fuccefs  to  weak, 
worn  out  land,  without  lome  fort  of  vee;et- 

able 


19*         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

ahlc  or  gralT/  particles,  to  bear  up  the  marl, 
putrefy,  keep  moift  and  caufe  a  fermenta- 
tion, in  order  to  mix  or  unite  th«  the  two 
bodies  of  fand  and  marl  together  :  and  as  it 
is  generally  worn  out  corn-foil  that  ftands 
in  the  greateft  need  of  improvement ;  and 
as  it  is  alfo  very  difhe^rtening  for  farmers  to 
wait  fo  long  for  their  land  coming  to  a  fod 
for  th-e  faid  purpofe  of  improvement,  I  re- 
fer them  to  the  next  chapter,  where  they 
will  find  artificial  management  will  make  up 
for  deficiency  of  time  and  nature. 

So  much  as  this  chapter  contains,  I 
thought  neceflary  to  fay,  in  order  to  prove, 
both  by  reafon  and  precept,  the  necefTity 
there  is  for  the  farmer's  keeping  up  to  the 
rules  laid  down  in  the  next,  and  confequent- 
ly  of  his  crops  alfo. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         193 


CHAP.     XXXVIII. 

On  different  SorU  of  Grafs  andPulfe,  which 
mujl  befown  before  Marl  is  laid  on  broken, 
old  going,  fandy,  worn-oui  hands  for  the 
Improvement  thereof ^  &c. 


SHOULD  the  reader  happen  to  turn  to 
this  chapter  before  he  reads  the  fore- 
going one;  1  would  advife  him  to  turn  back, 
and  read  it  firft,  in  order  that  he  may  more 
fully  be  acquainted  with  the  reafon  why  I 
dired:,  or  lay  down  the  following  manage- 
ment. 

There  are  few  fandy  farms  in  England, 
but  what  have  beds  of  marl  or  clay  under 
one  part  or  other  of  them  :  did  the  owner 
but  apply  himfelf  for  finding  them  out. 

The 


194         A    NEW     SYSTEM 

The  firft  ftep  he  ftiould  take,  is  to  view 
his  hedges  and  trees,  as  their  afped  of  vi- 
gour or  runtifhnefs,  generally  (hews  the  fort 
of  ground  they  grow  upon:  as  for  inftance, 
all  tap  roots  thrive  bell  where  the  interior 
earth  is  good,  though  at  a  great  depth  un- 
der ;  particularly  oak  ;  it  llrikes  its  root 
perpendicular  to  a  great  depth  to  find  out 
nouriftiment;  and  if  a  good  clay  or  marl  be 
under  at  the  diftance  of  fifteen  or  twenty 
feet,  the  flourifhing  ftate  of  the  tree  will 
fhew  it,  by  rearing  up  its  head  high  in  the 
SLir. 

One  can  hardly  be  deceived  in  thrs  re- 
mark :  for  though  the  furface  appear  fandy 
for  miles  round,  yet  if  there  be  any  good 
oaks  growing  thereon,  we  may  be  affured 
that  either  a  good  clay,  or  marl  is  under; 
therefore  the  farmer  may  apply  himfelf  to  a 
diligent  fearch  near  the  faid  trees. 

What  he  wants  beicg  found,  liis  next 
method  to  take,  is  how  to  apply  it  to  his 
(ground;  and  if  his  land  be  of  ever  fo  poor, 
light,  fandy  nature,  the  following  method 
will  enrich  it,  viz. 

As  foon  as  the  crop  of  corn  is  off,  plough 
the  land  once,  and  fow  it  with  x^etches  pret- 
ty thick  ;  then  harrow  them  in  ;  if  this  can 
be  done  a  fortnight  before  Michaelmas,  the 
better ;  that  the  Michaelmas  fpring  may  pufh 

them 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         195 

them  forward  to  a  good  head  before  winter: 
and  though  the  land  be  ever  fo  poor,  open 
or  fandy  :  if  lown  at  this  time  of  the  year, 
it  will  produce  a  crop  of  ftraw,  though  per- 
haps it  would  not  have  ftrength  enough  to 
fupport  a  crop  of  corn  ;  but  ftraw  will  an- 
fwer  his  end. 

The  vetches  muft  not  be  eat :  but  as  foon 
as  the  bufhy  fpring  feed  time  is  over,  the 
farmer  muft  prepare  for  marling,  or  claying; 
upon  them,   viz. 

He  muft  firft  roll  the  vetches  flat  with  a 
roller,  fo  far  as  he  thinks  he  can  cover  with 
marl  the  fame  day,  but  no  farther  ;  and  al- 
fo  fpread  the  marl  even  the  fame  night,  fo 
as  to  cover  all  the  vetches  clofe  therewith, 
to  prevent  the  fun  or  weather  from  exhal- 
ing or  drying  out  the  juicy  fubftance,  which 
it  foon  will  do  from  any  part  that  is  expof- 
ed  thereto. 

When  marl  or  clay  is  firft  drawn  out  of 
tke  pit,  it  is  generally  wet  and  tough ; 
but  when  it  has  lain  a  little  expofed  to  the 
weather,  it  ftiivers  and  falls  to  powder,  par- 
ticularly if  it  be  cf  a  rich  fort,  for  then  the 
air  opens  it,  to  come  at  the  falts  itcontains. 

As  foon  as  you  fee  that  the  clods  are  come 
to  a  confiftence,  {o  as  to  break  and  fpread, 
draw  a  harrow  over  the  marl,  turned  the 

wrong 


196  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

wrong  fide  up  in  order  to  break  and  fpread 
the  marl  more  even  j  and  cover  the  vetches 
clofe. 

The  next  confideration  is  what  to  fow  it 
with ;  and  doubtlefs  your  choice  will  fall 
upon  fuch  as  fuits  your  flock  of  cattle,  or 
your  opinion  of  farming,  and  crops  the  beft; 
but  was  I  to  choofe  it  ihould  be  fown  with 
turnips  at  midfummer:  however,  whatever 
it  is  fown  with,  it  muft  not  be  ftirred  with 
the  plough,  but  as  foon  as  the  marl  is  level- 
led on  the  ground  as  above,  fow  the  feed, 
and  fhovel  the  furrows,  and  Ipread  the 
mold  you  throw  out  an  inch  thick  all  over 
the  ridge. 

If  you  cannot  get  mold  enough  without, 
you  muft  either  dig  a  fpit  deep,  or  run  a 
plough  up  and  down  the  furrow,  in  order 
to  raife  mold  fufficient  for  the  purpofe. 

Two  men  will  fhovel  an  acre  in  one  day, 
which  is  cheaper  than  ploughing,  and  the 
work  is  done  etfedually  ;  the  marl  lying  be- 
tween two  bodies  of  fand,  and  the  vetch- 
es being  reduced  to  dung  under  the  marl, 
that  caufcs  a  thorough  fermentation  aad 
union  amongft  them. 

If  you  eat  off  the  turnips  with  flieep,  in 
the  moving  houfes,  you  complete  an  effect- 
ual improvement ;  be  the  land  ever  fo  poor 

or 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         197 

•v  fandy  ;  in  lliort,  this  is  the.  bcft  method 
that  can  be  taken  to  improve  any  fort  ol  bar- 
ren, light  land,  by  marl  or  clay. 

If  clay-land,  it  will  anfwer  the  end,  by 
applying  land  upon  it  in  the  fame  manner ; 
only  with  this  difference,  that  inilead  of 
vetches  you  fow  grey  peas,  which  will  pro- 
duce a  greater  burden  of  haum  for  manure. 

Roll  your  peafe,  and  when  your  fand  is 
laid  on,  cover  them,  and  the  fand  together, 
by  fhovelling  the  furrows  as  above :  but  the 
deeper  you  cover  the  better.  Suppofe  you 
dig  or  plough  a  good  fpit  deep,  and  make  a 
furrow  two  feet  wide,  to  throv/  over  a  ridge 
fixteen  feet  wide. 

This  is  alfo  an  excellent  method  to  cover 
in  buck -wheat,  vetches  or  peafe,  or  any 
other  crop  that  is  fown  for  manure  :  fuppofe 
you  would  not  lay  on  any  fort  of  fand  mar! 
or  clay. 

As  for  inftance  :  if  you  would  fow  wheat 
at  Michaelmas,  you  muft  firft  fow  your 
peafe  the  latter  end  of  May,  or  begimung 
of  June  :  at  Michaelmas  they  will  be  in  full 
bloffom,  then  roll  them  flat,  and  fow  your 
wheat  upon  them,  and  trench  the  furrows 
as  above,  covering  the  feed  and  peafe  to- 
gether two  or  three  inches  thick.  Thefe 
peafe  being  covered,  or  fmorhered  in  their 
mofl  juicy  tender  ftate,  ferment  and  rot  very 

Vol.  II.  C  c  foon 


19^^  A     NEW     S:YSTEM 

foon ;  they  will  be  turned  into  a  mafs  of 
ipanure  in  a '  fornight,  at  which  time  the 
wheat  begins  tq  ftriice  root,  and  feed  upon 
the  ground. 

This  is  a  very  fure  method  of  getting  a 
good  crop,  be  the  ground  ever  io  poor,  as 
the  feed  takes  root  immf^diately  among  the 
manure. 

This  alfo  cft'cc^ually  deftroys  the  weeds  ; 
and  as  the  furrows  are  deep  and  open,  it  is- 
a  good  drainage  for  cold,  low,  wet  land,  in 
ihort  it  is  the  next  beft  method  to  trenching 
land,  and  for  the  firll  crop  pei  haps  may  ex- 
ceed it. 

It  is  like  wife  a  good  preparative  for  fuch 
land  as  may  be  thrown  into  the  courfe  of 
Cjench-ploughing,  as  the  furrows  are  ready 
open,   ^c. 

Any  fpring-crops  may  be  treated  in  the 
fame  manner  with  good  fuccefs. 
„  Six  men  may  trench  an  acre  thus  in  one 
day,  and  cover  the  ridge  three  inches  thick; 
but  it  the  mold  be  loofcned  with  the  plough, 
fp  that  nothing  but  the  Ihovel  will  want  to> 
be  ufed,  it  will  come  much  lower. 


CHAP. 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         1.99 


C  H  A  P.     XXXIX. 


^be  Management,  &c»'  of  J /je  white  and 

Hue 

boiling   Fea. 


THIS  fort  of  pea  is  chiefly  raifed  lor  the 
good  of  mankind,    and  is  ufed  ior 
puddings,  kc. 

It  is  only  here  and  there  we  can  meet  with 
land  fuitable  for  this  crop:  for  though  it 
may  prod^ice  a  full  crop  and  good  looking 
peafe ;  yet  if  the  land  be  not  natural  for  them 
they  will  not  boil  foft  \  in  which  cafe  they 
are  of  no  value  but  for  cattle. 

The  land  nioft;  likely  to  anfwer  for  them 
is  a  dry  (harp  fand,  or  gravel :  but  experi- 
ence muft  be  the  farmers  guide  herein  ;  for 

if 


Eoo     .      A     NEW     S  Y  S  1'  E  M 

if  two  pieces  of  land  be  both  alike,  to  a 
man's  thinking,  und  only  an  hedge  parts 
them,  yet  oiic  may  bring  a  foft  good  boiler 
2nd  the  other  not. 

The  fcafon  for  fovving  it  is  about  the  mid- 
dle of  March  :  it  mull  be  managed  in  every 
relpect  as  the  grey  pea  ;  it  is  generally  fold 
Tor  about  the  fame  price  as  wheat. 

I  ha\e  known  more  than  once,  twenty 
pounds  an  acre  made  by  a  crop  of  them; 
befidcs  the  crop  is  generally  early  enough 
reaped  for  the  land  to  low  turnips  on  the 
fame  year  ;  \v  liich  is  another  great  advan- 
tage :  cattle  do  not  like  its  flraw  fo  well,  as 
that  of  grey  pca-Ilraw. 

There  arc  two  forts  of  this  pea,  but  both 
nearly  unfwer  the  fame  end  :  and  the  land 
that  will  produce  one  a  boiler,  will  not  mifs 
in  the  other  ;  one  is  called  the  blue  boiler, 
being  of  a  bluiih  cail  or  colour,  and  very 
imall  and  round,  and  without  any  dints  in 
it. 

The  other  is  called  the  white  boiler,  and 
is  generally  a  little  larger  than  the  blue  fort: 
this  is  alio  rOund,  and  is  not  dinted  :  it  is 
not  c[uite  fo  much  valued   as   the  blue  fort. 

'I'hey  are  both  of  the  early  hotfpur  kind  ; 
the  feed  mull  be  changed  every  year  to 
choofe  :  and  that  which  comes  from  the 
b'outh  of  Enj^land  is  generally  the  bell ;  the 

land 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  201 

land  being  in  that  country,  a  very  warm, 
fandy  gravel.  The  farmers  raife  great  quan- 
tities to  fend  abroad,  and  find  their  account 
in  it. 


CHAP. 


fe©4         A    NEW    SYSTEM 


CHAP.     XL. 


I^he  Management  and  PerfeBion  of  the  grey 
Field  Pea. 


THERE  arc  two  forts  of  peafe  which 
may  be  cultivated  in  the  field  with 
fuccefs, 

Firft,  the  common  grey  field-pea,  raifed 
for  the  fuftenance  of  the  brute  creation,  an- 
fwering  the  fame  end,  or  made  ufe  of  for 
the  fame  purpofes  as  field  beans. 

The  next  is  a  boiling  pea.  I  fhall  ti*eat  of 
it  in  another  chapter. 

The  grey  peafe  delight  moft  in  a  light 
gravel  or  fandy  land  :    but  if  fown  with 

beans 


OF    HUSByVNDRY.        w^ 

I^ans>  (which  will  be  a  rodding  forth^mjl 
they  will  grow  with  fuccefs  on  ftrong  lands  j 
but  the  richer  the  land,  the  greater  naed  they 
have  for  lupport,  as  their  ftraw  grows  Ibng" 
er,  and  therefore  they  muft  be  fown^  thin^ 
ner  alfo. 

Sow  the  pooreft  land  you  have  with  pea^fe, 
as  they  will  enrich  the  land,  and  on  fuch 
poor  land  they  corn  bell,  for  when  the  land- 
is  too  good  they  run  too  much  to  flraw,  and 
the  more  ftraw  the  lefs  corn. 

Oat  or  barley  ftubble,  if  the  land  be  poor 
will  bring  a  good  crop,  provided  you  give 
it  a  couple  of  ploughings  in  autumn  and 
winter  ;  but  if  the  land  be  in  a  good  hearty 
you  need  only  plough  the  Hubble  in  juR  be- 
fore fowifig. 

They  may  be  fown  with  fuccefs,  from  the 
f^rft  of  February  to  the  firil  of  April :  but 
about  the  beginning  of  March,  is  the  befl* 
feafon. 

The  land  being  ploughed,  fow  the  peafc 
at  the  rate  of  eight  ftone  to  the  acre,  Irilh 
meafure  :  when  fown  water  furrow  and  grip 
the  land. 

This  crop  mufi:  not  be  rolled  ;  in  May  is 
the  time  to  weed  them. 

If  they  happen  to  be  a  fhort  ftanding 
crop,  they  may  be  mown  i  elfe  they  muft 

be 


204         A    NEW     SYSTEM 

be  reaped  and  rolled,  or  lapped  up  in  round 
little  bundles,  like  a  fheaf  of  corn:  thus 
they  muft  be  left  in  fingle  lumps  or  fheaves 
till  they  arc  enough  weathered,  and  dried 
for  (lacking,  or  houfing  ;  but  while  they 
are  on  the  ground,  they  mull  be  turned 
two  or  three  times,  left  the  under  part  of 
the  Iheaf  grow. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.        20jr 


CHAP.     XLI. 


DireBions  for  the  ploughing,  fcwtng  andma^ 
nagement  of  Buck -Wheat,  through  all  its 
Variations. 


THE  chief  ufe  of  buck-wheat,  in  Eng- 
land or  Irelaryd,  is  for  manure  ;  tho* 
feme  make  ufe  of  it  for  bread;  but  it  is  very- 
ordinary  bread,  not  much  better  than  that 
of  peafe  ;  it  will  teed  hogs  ;  but  peafe  are  full 
as  good  and  will  yield  more  corn  on  an  acre: 
befides,  they  are  a  furer  crop,  as  they  will 
grow  on  almoft  any  lort  of  land. 

I  will  fay  fo  much,  hotvever,  for  buck- 
wheat, that  where  it  hits  and  is  a  full  crop, 
it  is  the  fined  thing  for  manure  that  I  have 
ever  feen. 

Vol.  11.  D  d  I  once 


2o6        A    NEW    SYSTEM 

I  once  had  a  crop,  that,  when  it  was  roll- 
ed down,  gave  a  talk  to  a  hoiTe  to  walk 
through  it ,  and  the  land  gained  fo  great  ad- 
vantage from  this  drefling,  that  the  proprie- 
tor has  good  rcafon  to  remember  it. 

The  plant  is  very  luxuriant,  and  predo- 
minant over  any  weeds  ;  To  that  the  benefit 
does  not  wholly  lie  in  the  dung  it  makes, 
but  partly  in  its  being  an  cffe(^hial  clearer  of 
ground  from  weeds. 

The  land  that  fuits  it  beft,  is  that  of  a 
light  foil,  of  a  fandy  gravelly  nature,  tho'in 
truth,  (except  a  very  ftrong  clay)  any  land 
v/ill  bring  a  crop;  provided  it  be  well  tilled 
to  a  fine  mold. 

Any  fort  of  flubble  that  is  intended  for  it, 
mufb  be  winter  fallowed,  ploughing  it  early 
in  autumn,  in  order  that  it  may  meliorate 
with  the  froft,  &c.  and  again,  as  foon  as  it 
begins  to  (hoot  in  the  fpring,  and  the  laft 
time  in  April,  jufl  before  fowing. 
.  The  middle  of  April  is  the  bef>  time  for 
fowing  it. 

When  ploughed  before  it  is  fown,  har- 
row it  once  in  a  place  ;  in  order  to  level  it, 
that  the  feed  may  not  be  buried  too  deep  ; 
then  low  the  feed,  at  the  rate  of  two  bulhels 
to  an  Englifli  acre  ;  after  which  harrow  it 
very  fine. 

When 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         207 

When  harrowed,  roll  it :  then  you  have 
no  more  to  do  with  it,  till  it  is  fit  to  plough 
in  for  dung,  which  is,  when  full  in  blolTom 
about  midluinmer. 

This  is  done  by  firfV  rolling  it  down  the 
ftriping  way  of  the  plough  :  and  thci; 
ploughing  it  in. 

If  the  land  be  for  turnips,  as  foon  as  the 
dung  is  rotten  (which  it  will  be  in  about  ten 
days)  if  it  be  ploughed  in  the  fullnefs  of  fap 
or  juices,  plough  it  up  and  harrow  it  once 
in  a  plage :  a  man  mull  follow  the  harrow 
with  a  rope  tied  to  it,  to  fhake  it,  leil  it 
drag  the  dung  in  h^aps.  Being  thus  har- 
rowed, fow  the  turnip- feed,  and  roll  it  af- 
terwards. 

But  if  the  land  be  for  wheat,  let  it  lie 
unploughed,  till  the  grafs  or  weeds  begin  to 
grow,  then  plough  the  dung  up,  and  in  a 
pVoper  time  after  low  wheat,  and  plough  it 
m  with  the  dung. 

If  you  intend  the  buck-wheat  to  fland  for 
feed,  treat  it  in  every  refpect  like  peafe,  as 
it  is  har veiled  the  lame  way* 


CHA?, 


3o8         A    NEW    SYSTEM 


CHAP.     XLII, 


DireSfions  how  to  raife  Rape  and  Cole- Seed, 
and  alfo  how  to  manage  Burnbeating,  ^c. 


I  Shall  treat  of  thefe  two  feeds  under  one 
management,  in  the  fame  chapter,  as 
they  are  nearly  of  one  quality :  all  the  dif- 
ference i?,  that  cole-feed  requires  a  greater 
depth  of  foil. 

Rape  and  cole-fced  are  very  profitable, 
where  they  meet  with  land  that  fuits  them  ; 
which  IS  a  black  and  deep  foil :  cold,  riiihy 
bottoms,  bog,  or  deep  mountain  are  very 
good,  provided  it  be  duly  pared  and  burn- 
ed. 

For 


OF     HUSBAHDRY.         209 

For  paring  and  burning,  (by  others  called 
burn-beating/  take  heathy,  boggy,  moun- 
.tainy,  or  rufhy,  we""  and  cold  low  ground  ; 
the  more  ling  or  heath  and  coarfe  grafs  the 
better. 

If  it  be  for  reclaiming  of  bog,  follow  the 
diredions  under  that  article.  ' 

If  the  ground  be  deep,  and  will  allow  it, 
pare  a  fed  tv/o  inches  thick,  in  order  to 
raife  all  the  aihes  that  is  pofTible  ;  but  be- 
fore you  begin  to  plough  or  pare  for  burn- 
ing, take  a  roller  fix  teet  long  ;  in  this  faft- 
en  three  bel-s  of  iron,  quite  round  the  roll- 
er, at  two  feet  diilancc  :  the(e  belts,  r)r  ra- 
ther cutting  knives,  as  they  are  to  perform 
this  office,  are  about  the  breadth  of  a 
fey  the,  and  are  to  have  prongs  to  drive  into 
the  roller,  fo  that  the  edge  will  ftand  up- 
right. 

With  this  go  acrofs  the  ground  intended 
to  be  pared  ;  which,  when  pared,  it  will 
turn  up  in  fods  two  feet  long  and  fave  a 
great  deal  of  labour  of  cutting  by  hand; 
the  knives  may  be  taken  off,  or  put  on  oc- 
cafionally  :  and  the  roller  will  ferve  for  other 
ufes,  of  rolling  corn»  Sec. 

About  the  middle  of  April  begin  to  pare, 
and  do  not  mifs  an  opportunity  of  burning 
the  fods,  when  once  dry  ;  which  will  be  in 

thie€ 


zio  A    "NEW     SYSTEM 

three  weeks  after  cutting,  if  the  feafon  be 
ncTt  wet;  but  in  a  wet  feafon,  they  mull  be 
fct  upon  an  edge,  and  they  will  dry  the 
readier. 

Being  thus  dry,  and  ready  for  burning, 
make  heaps  of  about  a  cart  load  in  each, 
with  the  grafs-fide  downward  :  lay  them  as 
light  and  hollow  as  poflible,  that  they  may 
burn  the  readier. 

Put  feme  fort  of  kindling  under  to  fet  it 
on  fire,  fuch  as  ftraw  or  fticks,  hcc.  but 
little  will  do/  if  there  be  any  rough  fluff, 
fuch  as  heath,  rulhes,  Sec.  on  thefod. 

The  v/ay  to  burn  it  to  the  greatefl  advan- 
tage, is  not  to  let  the  blaze  break  out,  but 
keep  it  fmothering  within  ;  for  the  more  it 
blazes,  the  more  of  the  nitre  afcends  into 
the  air. 

Being  thus  burned,  fpread  the  aihes,  and 
plough  them  und^r  with  a  very  thin  furrow 
at  the  mofl  not  above  two  inches  thick  ;  then 
harrow  it,  and  when  harrowed  pretty  fine, 
fow  tlie  feed.  After  fowing  bufh-harrow 
It. 

A  peck  of  feed  is  the  due  for  an  Englifh 
acre,  which  is  about  one  third  lefs  than  an 
Irifti  one. 

Take  care  to  water- furrow  and  grip  it 
well. 

In 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         2n 

Tnthc  Ipring  weed  it,  and  where  it  is  too. 
thick  pull  up  fome  plants,  and  tranfplant 
them  in  thin  places,  if  any  there  be  ;  if  not 
throw  them  away. 

Some  will  hoe  the  rape  ;  but  I  take  thi* 
to  be  a  fuperfluous  piece  of  labour. 

The  mo  A;  famous  place  in  England,  for 
rifing  this  crop,  is  the  fenny  countries; 
and  they  never  hoe  any ;  but  I  have  feert 
farmers  in  other  countries,  take  great  pains^ 
in  hoeing  it ;  but  this  may  be  partly  owing 
to  their  being  ilrangers  to  the  right  manage- 
ment, and  to  their  taking  over  abundant 
pains,    through  a  fear  of  not  doing  enough* 

The  chief  thing  is,  to  fow  it  even,  and 
till  it  well,  there  is  then  no  fear  of  a  crop  ; 
for  the  plants  coming  up  thick,  and  having 
a  broad  leaf,  fmother  the  weeds,  cover  the 
ground,  and  keep  it  light  and  mellow ;  {o 
that  in  this  cafe,  1  fee  bat  little  need  of  hoe- 
mg. 

{  had  a  field  one  year,  and  in  order  to 
be  fatisfied  which  was  the  beft  way,  I  fow- 
ed  a  piece  in  drills,  and  hoed  it  with  the 
plough  :  and  another  piece  I  hoed  by  the- 
hand. 

I  did  not  tre{h.  it  feparate  ;  but  in  all  ap- 
pearance to  the  eye,  there  v/as  no  great  dif- 
ference, or  at-leaif,  not  in  any  wife  equiva- 


J 12         A     NEW     SYSTEM 

lent  to  the  labour  it  coll:  me  ;  but  in  fa<ft,  it 
was  all  as  good  a  crop  as  could  well  grosv. 

Where  there  is  not  burn-beating,  a  good 
crop  may  be  got  by  fumnier  I'allow,  iria- 
naged  dirertly  in  every  degree  as  tor  wheat, 
with  the  fame  manures. 

One  advantage  in  fowingrape  is  this,  that 
the  feed  cofts  a  triRe,  perhaps  not  above 
eighteen  pence  an  acre ;  and'if  it  hits,  it  is  a 
valuable  crop  ;  and  ihould  it  mifs,  the  lofe 
of  feed  is  infigniiicant,  and  the  land  can  be 
fown  with  bailey  at  fpring,  as  there  is  time 
enough  to  difcover  what  kind  of  a  crop  the' 
rape  will  be,  before  barley  feed  time. 

Obferve  that  it  is  ready  to  reap  when  the 
upper  branches  turn  brown  ;  be  fure  you 
let  it  not  be  too  ripe  ;  of  the  two  evils,  the 
leaft  is  to  reap  it  too  foon,  rather  than  let 
it  ftand  too  long :  for  if  the  pcxls  be  too 
dry,  they  will  open  in  reaping,  anti  fhcd  the 
ieed. 

Birds  of  all  forts  are  very  fond  of  it 
thereiore  it  mull  be  watched  for  a  month- 
before  its  reaping,  to  the  end  of  threlhing  : 
it  is  not  altogether  the  value  of  what  they 
cat,  but  in  opening  a  pod,  perhaps  they  will 
not  get  above  one  grain,  and  all  the  reft  will 
drop  out. 

It  is  reaped  in  the  fame  manner  as  wheat: 
but  the  handfuls  are   laid  fingly   and  light 

upon 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         213, 

upon  the  ftubble,  behind  the  reapers :  thus 
it  mtilt  lie  without  flirring,  till  it  is  ready 
to  trefh  ;  which  %vilibe  in  about  three  weeks 
after  reaping  :  for  it  muft  be  very  rafh  or 
dry,  or  there  will  be  a  lofs  in  its  not  trefh- 
ing  clean.  , 

When  it  is  thus  ready  for  trefhing,  pre- 
pare a  floor  in  the  middle  of  the  field,  (or 
in  any  other  place  moft  convenient  for  the 
carriage,)  by  levelling  the  ground,  on  which 
nwiHi  be  fpread  a  large  rape-cloth  in  the  na- 
ture of  a  winnow-iheet,  to  trefh  the  rape 
upon. 

Spread  the  rows  round,  and  trefh  round. 

One  man  fp reads  before  the  trefhers  ; 
another  turns  it  after  them ;  a  third  fhakes 
off  the  ftravV,  and  a  fourth  carries  it  away. 

Thefe  four  men  arc  to  fupply  i^ix  trefhers 
and  four  carriers  in  ;  with  four  to  fill  the 
fheets,  and  one  to  rake  oft"  the  piilfe  and 
riddle  them. 

Thefe  fet  of  people  being  in  all  nineteen, 
will  trefh  fix  or  feven  acres  in  a  day. 

It  is  better  to  proportion  the  labourers  ac- 
cording to  the  quantity  of  rape  you  have> 
that  it  may  difpatched  in  a  day  or  two,  as 
rainy  weather  may  prove  dbflruciive  ;  but 
if  the  rain  fhould  happen  to  catch  you, 
throw  up  the  corners  of  the  clotli,  and  eo- 

VQC 

Vol.  II.  E  e 


214  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

ver  it  with  pulfe,  fuch  as  flays  in  the  riddle, 
which  will  turn  off  rain  extremely  well. 

'1  here  is  no  need  of  taking  the  Teed  off 
the  cloth,  but  keep  treihing  upon  it  till  all 
is  done. 

Some  will  fell  the  feed  to  the  oil-mill,  as 
foon  as  winnowed  from  the  cloth  :  others 
that  do  not  want  money,  will  heap  it  upon 
the  floor,  mixed  with  chaff,  and  covered 
up  with  the  pulfe,  fo  that  it  will  be  round 
and  fharp  at  the  top  like  a  hay-cock  :  and 
thus  they  will  let  it  lie  perhaps  two  months 
till  it  gets  a  fweat  in  the  chaff,  which  is  very 
necellary  ;  for  being  of  a  clammy  oily  fub- 
ftance,  it  would  turn  moldy,  when  clean  in 
a  granary,  if  it  did  not  get  a  Iweat  in  the 
rh^ff  as  above :  but  this  precaution  will 
prevent  the  faid  evil. 

It  is  immaterial  to  fay  any  thing  about 
winnowing  ;  as  it  is  eafily  done  by  any  one 
that  can  winnow  flax-feed  or  corn  ;  as  it  is 
only  fuiting  it  with  fieves  to  the  lize  of  the 
feed. 

The  ftraw  was  thought  of  no  value  for- 
merly  in  England,  but  rather  a  nuifance  ; 
but  of  late  years  the  aihes  it  makes  are 
found  to  be  valuable  for  making  foap  ;  and 
the  foap -boilers  will  buy  the  ftraw,  per- 
haps-two  or  three  months  before  it  is  reaped 

and 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  215 

and  will  give  from  three  to  fix  fhillings  per 
acre,  according  to  the  quantity  that  may 
appear  to  be  thereon. 

About  the  latter  end  of  November,  if  the 
rape  be  ftrong  fo  as  to  bear  eatirg,  (which 
you  may  judge  of  by  the  flrength  of  tile 
plant,  or  groilnefs  of  the  ftalk,)  turn  iheep 
in  and  eat  it  till  Candlemas ;  provided  you 
do  not  overllocic  it ;  but  take  care  that 
they  do  not  eat  the  ftalk  tcjo  near ;  they 
ought  to  go  no  further  than  juft  to  eat  the 
leaves  cflf,  without  entering  on  the  body  of 
the  lUlks,  for  fear  of  wounding  them  too 
deep. 

Cole-feed  may  be  eaten  a  great  deal  fafer 
than  rape,  as  it  produces  a  grolTer  ftalk ; 
and  when  all  the  leaves  are  eaten  off,  about 
Candlemas  it -makes  frelh  ifioots,  and  pro- 
duces larger  heads  than  if  it  had  not  been 
€aten;  and  if  the  land  be  good  and  deep,  it 
will  produce  a  more  profitable  crop  than  of 
any  other  grain  whatevei . 

1  have  difcourled  with  Several  farmers  in 
England,  who  know  no  other  difference  be- 
tween cole  and  rape-feed  than  the  name. 

It  is  true  that  the  feed  is  nearly  alike  ;  and 
no  difference  is  made  in  the  price  to  the  oil 
mills  as  they  produce  one  fort  of  oil  i  but 
there  is  a  materiid  difTerence  in  the  plan':, 
and  it  is  the  advantage  of  a  larnier  to  be  well 
acquairrted  with  it  too.  The 


2i6         A    NEW     SYSTEM 

The  cole-fccd  is  a  fpccies  of  cabbage  ori- 
ginally from  Holland. 

It  produces  a  very  large  luxuriant  plant, 
in  good  ground:  it  will  produce  a  flalk  like 
that  of  a  cabbage,  and  the  feed  in  propor- 
tion to  the  fize  of  the  ftalk. 

A  very  full  crop  will  turn  out  a  laft  on  an 
acre. 

When  the  fhcep  have  eat  the  (talks  bare, 
it  is  ae  eafy  matter  to  take  them  up,  where 
too  thick  on  the  ground,  and  tranfplant 
them. 

I  once  took  as  many  fuperfluous  ftalks 
out  of  two  acres,  as  tranfplanted  fix ;  which 
bore  as  good  a  crop  as  the  refl,  only  a  little 
later. 

I  am  certain  a  very  great  advantage  might 
be  made  in  this  method,  in  the  manner  lol- 
Jowing,  VIZ. 

It  it  to  be  obferved,  that  land  for  rape  or 
cole- feed  is  fallowed  all  winter,  and  till  the 
time  ot  lowing,  which  is  the  latter  end  of 
June  or  in  July  ;  by  which  means  the  rape 
rakes  up  the  land  this  year,  and  till  it  is  reap- 
ed, which  is  about  the  latter  end  of  June 
the  next  year  ;  therefore  it  is  too  late  foi- 
f  >vving  any  fort  of  crop  but  turnips  when 
the  rape  comes  off. 

Now    fuppofe  you  had  half  an   acre  [of 
good  land,  or  made  it  fo  by  dunging  it  bet- 
ter 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         217 

ter  than   common,  and  tilling  it  a  little  ex- 
traordinary. 

At  the  proper  feafon  of  the  year,  which 
is  at  Midfummer,  fow  on  this  half  acre  one 
peck  of  either  rape  or  colefeed  :  but  if  I  was 
to  choofe  it  fhould  be  cole-feed. 

Now  we  fuppofe  this  to  produce  a  very 
plentiful  crop  of  plants,  perhaps  very  few 
grains  would  rnifs  :  thus  let  them  grow  till 
Michaelmas  :  and  fuppofe  you  have  ten 
acres  of  either  wheat,  here,  barley  or  oats: 
as  foon  as  the  corn  is  reaped,  plough  the 
{lubble  :  let  it  lie  a  month  or  fix  weeks  to 
rot,  and  then  plough  it  again  :  this  will  be 
nearly  as  good  as  fummer  fallow. 

Begin  at  one  fide  of  the  field,  and  plough 
a  furrow  :  in  this  fet  a  row  of  thefe  plants 
one  foot  afunder,  leaning  againll  the  fide  of 
the  furrow  :  then  plougii  another  furrow 
againft  it  :  make  the  furrow  about  a  foot 
broad  :  fo  continue  till  all  the  field  be  fet: 
but  it  is  the  bcft  method  to  fet  them  with 
the  tranfphnting  machine,  as  direded  for 
wheat. 

If  the  land  be  good,  there  will  be  no 
need  of  dung,  &cc.  but  if  it  be  poor  have 
rotten  dung  in  the  field,  ready  laid  in  heaps; 
take  balkets,  and  lay  a  little  st  the  root  oi' 
every  plant:  about  the  fize  of  a  large  pota- 
roc  will  be  fufficicnt :  by  this  means,  a  lit- 
tle 


2i8  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

tie  dung  will  go  a  greater  way,  and  not  any 
of  it  will  be  laid  in  vain,  as  every  plant  will 
have  the  good  of  it. 

This  is  a  mighty  ready  way  of  tranfplant- 
ing  :  for  except  the  ploughing  it  will  not 
coil  above  two  fhillings  an  acre. 

The  plants  will  be  the  better  lor  leaning 
on  one  lide. 

About  March,  if  the  mold  be  drawn  up 
to  the  Hems,  they  will  be  the  better,  tho* 
they  may  do  very  well  without. 

I  do  not  doubt  but  there  are  as  many 
grains  in  a  peck  of  rape-feed  as  will  fet  at  a 
foot  diilance  from  each  grain,  a  hundred 
acres  ;  therefore  without  doubt,  there  will 
be  as  many  plants  to  pick  and  choofe,  as 
would  plant  ten  acres  at  the  fame  allowance. 

When  the  rape  is  reaped  fow  turnips. 

This  is  getting  three  profitable  crops,  and 
part  of  a  fummer's  fallow  in  two  years  : 
and  the  two  laft  crops  ai^e  of  an  improving 
quality. 

It  is  true  I  never  faw  this  method  put  in 
practice  by  any  other  perfon.  However  I 
made  trial  enough  in  this  way  to  prove  it 
valuable. 

This  experience  joined  to  the  reafonable- 
nefs  of  the  thing,  makes  it  clear  to  mc,  that 
a  farmer,  by  this  management  might  make 
great  protits  of  his  land. 

If 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         219 

If  itfhould  be  a  bufy  time  about  Michael- 
mas, the  tranfplanting  might  be  deierred 
till  the  beginning  of  February,  and  keep  the 
land  fallowing  all  winter,  and  indeed  I 
doubt  not  but  this  is  full  as  good  a  feafon 
as  Michaelmas,  and  the  land  may  be  kept 
fallowing  as  I  obierved. 

The  fpring  planting  will  drive  the  crop 
a  little  later,  but  I  am  convinced  that  there 
is  no  doubt  of  the  plants  growing  from 
either  feafon  :  it  is  my  opinion  not  above 
one  in  an  hundred  would  mifs. 

I  ihould  be  glald  to  fee  this  profitable 
piece  of  hufbandry  put  in  pradice  in  a  large 
degree,  as  reafon  fpeaks  fo  clearly  in  its 
favour. 

It  would  a'fo  make  good  winter  feeding, 
if  the  farmer  dijd  not  choofe  to  let  it  Hand  to 
feed. 

What  a  fine  affair  would  it  be  for  a  far- 
mer to  make  ten  or  fifteen  pounds  an  acre 
of  his  ftubbles  :  the  land  the  better  for  it, 
and  the  expence  not  above  three  or  four 
{hillings  per  acre  ? 

If  it  fbould  mifs,  the  lofs  is  fcarce  worth 
notice,  and  the  land  will  be  the  better  for 
the  fallow  a*:  any  rate. 

The  middling  produce  of  an  Englifn  ac  re 
of  rape  is  half  a  laf^ :  it  fometimes  happens 
that  an  ac  e  will  produce  a  lalt ;  but  it  muil 
be  very  good.  Cole- 


220         A    NEW    S'YSTEM 

Cole-feed  will  very  often  produce  a  laft  ; 
being  a  ftronger  plant,  it  confequently 
throws  out  larger  feeding  branches,  where 
the  land  is  deep  and  proper  for  it. 

The  rape  or  cole-feed  is  very  proper  for 
the  land  and  climate  of  America. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         221 


CHAP.     XLUI. 


DirsBlons  for  making  a  new  invented  Trejh- 
ing  Floor, 


TAKE  boards  three  inches  thick,  and 
ten  or  twelve  inches  broad,  and  fo 
long  that  two  will  reach  acrofs  the  barn  floor, 
from  door  to  door ;  in  thefe  fix  feet  to  make 
benches  three  feet  hi^h  :  there  muft  be  fix 
of  thefe  forms  or  benches,  which  will  reach 
three  times  acrofs  the  floor,  one  at  each  fide, 
and  the  other  down  the  middle,  put  a  hafp  &c 
ftaple  to  the  middle  end  of  each  bench  to 
fallen  them  together  that  the  motion  of  ihc 
flails  will  not  fliake  them  a  funder. 

Thefe  benches  is  by  way  of  platforms  to 
lay  the  flooring  boards  upon,  which  boards 

Vol.  II.  Ff  mua 


Ill        A     NEW    SYSTEM 

muft  be  three  inches  thick,  and  as  broad  as 
may  happen,  a-^d  as  long  as  will  reach  acrofs 
the  benches  from  fide  to  fide. 
•'  Joint  and  plane'  the  upper  tide  of  the 
boards,  then  bore  them  full  of  holes  \^ith  a 
cooper's  tap  bit  at  three  inches  diftance  from 
each  other,  the  tap  bit  being  taper,  the 
wide  part  of  the  hole  muft  be  at  the  un- 
plancd  (idc  of  the  boards  which  mufl:  lye 
downwards,  by  which  the  ilraight  part 
of  the  hole  which  muft  be  half  an  inch  wide 
being  uppermoft,  will  not  choke  or  ftop  up 
with  corn  or  chaff  when  trelhing  thereon. 

This  ftage  or  upper  floor  is  to  trefh  up- 
on and  the  old  under  floor  is  to  receive  the 
corn  which  is  riddled  through  the  holes  as 
foon  as  it  is  trefhed  or  lofe  from  the  ftraw. 

When  you  want  ta  winnow,  the  boards 
being  loofe  are  quicklv  thrown  to  one  fide, 
and  the  two  middle  forms  being  taken  away 
the  corn  is  winnowed  on  the  bottom  fioor. 

This  is  a  fimple,  cheap  and  cafy  made 
floor,  and  is  of  great  utility,  as  it  faves  both 
labour  and  corn,  for  as  the  corn  falls  thro* 
^he  holes  as  foon  as  trefhed,  it  keeps  the 
floor  fharp  and  clean  fo  that  the  flails  will 
j-ifc  eaficr  to  the  trcflier,  than  when  it  falls 
on  a  heap  of  corn  and  chaff,  and  the  boards 
being  loofe  and  hollow^  will  fpring,  andmakc 
the  flails  alfo  rebound  and  rife   with  more 

cafe 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         223 

eafe  to  the  trciher  than  when  it  falls  on  a 
folid  laid  floor  :  the  next  confideration  is 
that  it  faves  near  one  part  in  four  times 
which  is  ufiialiy  taken  up  in  raking  or  mak- 
ing up  the  Moor. 

Another  advantage  is,  there  can  be  no 
loofe  corn  loft  or  thrown  out  with  the  ftriw 
by  not  Ihaking  it  well,  as  is  the  cafe  when 
the  ftraw  and  corn  lies  together  j  neither  is 
the  corn  a  glut  on  the  floor  'till  winnowing 
days,  as  the  undei*  floor  ferves  as  a  refervoir 
for  that  purpofe. 


CHAP. 


224         A     NEW     SYSTEM 


CHAP.     XLIV. 


'^he  Management  of  T'obacco, 


TOBACCO  is  a  profitable  crop  when 
rightly  managed,  but  requires  good 
land,  and  in  fome  llages  very  careful  attend- 
ance, particularly  in  drying  and  making  it 
fit  for  the  hogfliead. 

The  ground  muft  be  well  tilled  and  ma- 
nured, except  it  be  new  cleared,  good  ficlh 
ground  ;  then  it  may  bring  three  or  four 
crops  without  manure. 

'rhe  feed  of  tobacco  mufl  be  fown  in 
feed  beds,  as  early  in  the  fpring  after  the 
froft  brealcs  up  as  poffible,  fo  that  the  plants 
may  be  large  enough  to  plant  out  from  the 
middle  of  April  to  the  firfl  of  May. 

The 


OF     HUSBANDRY.  225 

The  ground  mull  be  ready  to  receive  the 
crop  by  digging  deep,  and  loofening  the 
earth,  with  a  Ipade,  particularly  in  the  fpot 
where  the  plant  ft  and  s. 

In  the  middle  of  every  fquare  yard  fet  a 
plant,  preifing  the  earth  clofe  to  the  roots 
thereof.  When  weeds  grow  they  muft  be 
cut  up  with  a  hand  hoe,  and  at  the  fame 
time  draw  the  mold  up  about  the  the  ftalks 
of  the  plants. 

As  foon  as  you  lee  the  plants  begin  to 
bud  for  flowering,  you  muft  go  over  the 
ground  and  pinch  all  the  buds  off,  between 
the  linger  and  thumb,  in  order  to  make  the 
plants  ftrike  more  into  leaf,  at  the  fame 
time  ftrip  any  dead  or  withered  leaves  from 
the  bottom  of  the  ftalks  and  throw  them 
away.  Some  indeed  will  take  off  two  or 
three  of  the  largeft  leaves  from  the  bottom 
of  each  ftalk,  and  dry  them  for  tobacco, 
which  I  think  the  beft  method  :  firft  bc- 
caufe  it  lets  air  circulate  more  freely  among 
the  crop,  which  encourages  vegetation  :  fe- 
condly  the  leaves  will  improve  no  more, 
they  being  ripe  fome  weeks  before  the  up- 
per leaves  :  thirdly,  though  thefe  bottom 
leaves  make  a  coarfer  fort  of  tobacco  than 
the  reft  of  the  plant ;  yet  they  will  very 
well  pay  the  trouble,  and  it  is  getting  io 
much  work  out  of  the  way,  before  the  re- 
mainder 


226         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

maindcr  of  the  crop  comes  on  fo  he  ma- 
naged,  which  is  generally  a  buly  time. 

From  Augull  to  September  is  the  time  for 
cutting  the  plants. 

They  mult  be  cut  down  below  the  leaves: 
when  cut  they  muft  lie  a  few  days  to  wither 
and  then  take  them  under  cover,  and  hang 
the  plants  fingly  acrafs  ilicks  till  they  are 
quite  dry,  lo  that  when  they  are  put  toge- 
ther in  a  heap  to  fweat,  they  will  keep  their 
colour,  and  not  turn  to  a  white  mold,  which 
will  rot  and  fpuil  the  tobacco. 

If  the  weather  be  wet  or  hazy,  the  to- 
bacco will  not  dry  withovit  fires  being  made 
on  the  floor  of  the  tobacco-houfe,  which 
will  warm  and  dry  the  whole  tobacco  that 
hangs  over  them. 

While  the  tobacco  is  drying  in  the  houfe 
it  muft  be  looked  at  every  day,  leaft  it  turn 
to  a  white  mold,  and  rot  where  it  hangs  too 
thick.  In  this  cafe  it  muft  be  fhifted  and 
thinned  in  time,  to  prevent  the  worft  of 
malady's. 

The  Tobacco  being  properly  dried,  it 
muft  be  put  in  a  heap  to  force  a  fweat,  and 
the  leaves  muft  be  ftripped  from  the  ftalks, 
and  made  m  hands  (as  they  call  it)  by  ty- 
ing four  or  five  together,  and  then  it  muft 
be  prefTed  very  hard  in  a  hogfhead  for  ufe. 

The 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         227 

The  crop  is  ripe  for  cutting  when  the 
leaves  turn  a  yellowifli  brown  at  the  edges, 
or  when  you  can  double  or  bend  the  ribs 
of  he  leaf  without  breaking. 

When  the  crop  is  ripe  to  cut  early,  there 
will  other  leaves  fpring  from  the  roots,  that 
will  produce  a    fecond   crop  (but  this)  ex- ' 
cept  the  weather  prove  favorable,  is  hard 
to  fave. 

It  is  a  tolerable  good  crop  of  tobacco  that 
will  produce  a  hogihead  an  acre. 

There  are  feveral  forts  of  tobacco,  but 
the  beft  which  I  have  feen,  is  what  they 
call  the  bull- face  ;  it  produces  the  flrongeft 
plant,  confequently  the  fulleft  crop,  "rhe 
finell  tobacco,  is  that  of  a  yellowilh  green 
(fome,  when  they  ftrip  the  Italics)  will  pre- 
jferve  all  the  leaves  of  this  colour  by  them- 
felves,  and  fell  the  tobacco  at  an  a.dvanced 
price  from  the  reft. 


CHAP. 


228  A     NEW     SYSTEM 


CHAP.     XLV. 


The  Management  of  Indian  Corn, 


T. 


HIS  is  a  crop  the  Americans  are  in  ge- 
neral mailers  in  the  management  of,  fo 
I  {hall  be  (hort  on  the  fubjecl,  and  only 
add  one  particular  to  the  common  manage- 
ment, which  reafon  tells  me  will  be  an  im- 
provement it'  clofely  adhered  to. 

In  this,  as  in  all  other  crops,  the  richer 
the  ground  and  the  better  and  deeper  it  is 
tilled,  the  greater  chance  of  a  good  crop. — 
However  in  many  parts,  and  in  particularly 
in  new  cleared  ground,  the  roots  of  trees 
prevents  ploughing  deep  for  Indian  wheat, 
and  w^heat  abfolutely  requires' it  to  bring  it 
its  beft  perfection ;  therefore,  when  all  the 
ground  cannot  be  tilled  deep  with  the  plough 

1  would 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         229 

I  would  advife  three  or  four  fpits  with  the 
rpade  to  be  dug  deep  in  the  place  where  the 
corn  is  to  grow,  one  rnan  would  do  an  acre 
each  day,  and  it  would  well  pay  for  his 
trouble,  but  in  doing  this  he  mull  turn  the 
upper  furface  to  the  bottom  of  the  hole,  for 
tlie  fame  reafons  that  are  mentioned  in  the 
chapter  for  trench  ploughing. 

When  the  ground  is  fallowed  and  thus 
ready  to  receive  the  crop,  the  next  flep  is  to 
make  marks  where  the  corn  is  to  grow  at 
fix  feet  diftance  every  way  from  each  other, 
and  at  the  center  of  every  fix  feet,  make  a 
circle  of  a  foot  diameter,  in  which  (et 
at  an  equal  diftance  from  each  other  four 
grains  of  corn  three  or  four  inches  deep  in 
the  ground  :  three  grains  is  fuflicient  for  a 
crop,  but  the  fourth  is  eafiiy  pulled  up  when 
thev  are  a  fize  to  be  difcovered  which  is 
the  weakeft. 

When  the  corn  is  growing  plough  be- 
tween the  rows  as  clofe  to  the  roots  as  you 
can,  in  order  to  kill  the  weeds  and  treiheii 
the  plants  by  cutting  fuperfluous  fibres  that 
runs  horizontly  near  the  furface  of  the  earth, 
this  will  make  the  tap  roots  ilrike  deep  in 
the  ground,  which  adds  vigor  and  ftrength 
to  the  plants. 

Ifthere  are  weeds  growing  among  the  roots 
of  the  corn  or  in  luch  a  fituation  that  the 

Vol.  II.  Qy  '^  plough 


230  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

p]9Ugh  cannot  come  at  them  they  muft  be 
dcAroyed  with  the  hand  hoe. 

The  befl  time  for  fowing  the  feed  is  from 
the  middle  of  March  to  the  firil  of  May. 

The  crop  being  thus  fct  and  properly 
hoed,  the  chief  part  of  the  care  attending, 
it  is  over. 

The  crop  is  generally  ripe  in  September, 
the  harveilingis  very  fimple,  being  nothing 
more  than  to  cut  off  the  ears  and  throw 
them  into  a  carriage  and  houfe  them. 

The  beft  managers  ftrip  the  blades  from 
the  ftalks  and  tie  them  up  in  fmall  fheaves 
and  prelerve  them  dry  in  flacks  or  houfes 
for  fodder  for  cattle  in  winter,  others  will  let 
them  ftand  till  wanted  in  winter,  and  then 
pull  and  throw  the  0alks  andblkdes  together 
to  the  cattle  and  let  them  pick  the  blades 
from  the  flalks  themfelves. 

Some  fti'ip  or  fhell  the  corn  fVom  the  ears 
by  hand,  others  trefh  them  on  hurdles  made 
of  fmall  flicks  when  they  want  to  fell  a  quan- 
tity, but  in  feeding  their  own  hogs  or  horfes 
they  generally  throw  the  whole  ears  to  them 
who  will  quickly  fhell  the  corn  oflf  and  feed' 
upon'it. 

A  very  good  crop  will  produce  fixty 
bufhels  an  acre^  but  thirty  is  a  fine  crop. 


CHAP. 


QF    HUSBANDRY.         231 


€  H  A  P.     XLVL 


General  dire'Slions for  ploughing,  fowing,  bar- 
rowing  and  mowing y  er  harvejiing  Barley. 


I 


N  October  begin  to  plough  your  land  for 
the  winter  fallow,  which  is  intended  for  bar- 
ley, except  turnip  land,  which  muft  be 
ploughed  as  foon  as  the  turnips  are  eaten 
off. 

Obferve  to  gather,  or  raife  your  ridges 
high  in  the  middle  of  your  winter  fallow,  by 
which  means  it  will  keep  itfelf  dry,  fo  that 
it  may  be  ploughed  any  time  in  winter ;  and 
the  more  it  is  ploughed  the  better  and  richer 


232  A     N  E  VV     S  Y  STEM 

it  is  mack  :  take  care  that  yonr  land  be  got 
into  lowing  order  by  the  firil  of  MarcJi,  as 
tlie  bell  ieaibn  for  fowing  barley,  is  from 
that  to  the  middle  of  April,  though  fome 
will  fow  till  the  middle  of  May  ;  but  a  good 
deal  may  be  owing  to  the  fcafon;  for  it  is 
better  to  wait  a  month,  than  to  fow  in  a 
dirty,  cold,  bad  feafon;  as  barley  is  a  grain, 
above  all  others,  that  will  not  bear  incle- 
mency of  weather  or  hardfliip. 

If  you  intend  to  lay  your  land  down  with 
any  fort  of  fmall  grafs  feeds,  fuch  as  clover, 
lucerne,  kc.  as  foon  as  the  barley  is  fown 
and  harrowed,  as  above,  (o\v  your  grafs- 
fceds,  and  harrow  them  once  in  a  place, 
with  the  harrow  turned  the  wrong  end  lore- 
moft,  that  tlie  pins  do  not  fink  too  deep, 
which  would  bury  a  great  deal  of  thefe 
Tmali  feeds  j  but  larger  forts  of  grafs-feed, 
fuch  as  fain tfoin,  burn f^t,  and  the  like,  may 
l)e  fown,  when  the  land  is  about  half  har- 
rowed for  barley,  and  then  harrowed  along 
with  it ;  by  which  means  they  will  be  the 
better  covered ^  and,  being'  a  hufl<y  feed, 
they  require  it.  ' 

When  the  barley  has  been  fown  about  .i 
month,  roll  it. 

bow  your  barley  immediately  after  the 
laU  ploughing,  and  harrow-  it  extremely 
well. 

Six 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  233 

Six  ftone  of  Iced  is  fufficient  for  an  Eng- 
lilh  acre. 

One  great  article,  on  which  the  farmer's 
fuccefs  depends,  is,  to  keep  his  crop  clean ; 
he  mull  therefore  take  care  it  will  be  well 
weeded,  and  throw  the  weeds  into  the  fur- 
rows ;  being  thus  cleared  from  weeds,  the 
bufinefs  is  over,  till  ready  for  harvefiing. 

As  moll  per  ions  know  when  it  is  ripe,  I 
fhall  only  fay,  that  the  chief  token  is,  to 
obferve  the  joints  of  the  ftraw  ;  when  thefc 
turn  from  a  green  to  a  dry  flraw-colour,  it 
is  ready  for  cutting  ;  but  no  corn  is  ripe,  as 
long  as  the  joints  are  full  of  fap  ;  for  thofe 
are  the  juices  which  fupply  or  feed  the  grain 
with  its  lafl  nourilhment ;  as''  it  keeps  feed- 
ing or  filling,  until  the  joints  are  fucked 
dry;  ardthen  the  green. call  departs  along 
with  the  fap,  and  nature  has  done  its  work  ; 
therefore  fall  to,  and  mo\^^  it,  as  directed  in 
the  next  chapter. 


CHAP. 


234         A"  NEW    SYSTEM 


CHAP.     XLVa. 


On  mowing  and  harvejling  Spring-Corn, 


WHAT  may  be  properly  called  fpring- 
corn,  is,  that  which  is  fown  in 
(pring ;  luch  as  barley,  oats,  beans,  peafe^ 
buck-wheat,  and  the  like. 

Thefe  are  what  the  Englifh  farmers  call 
mowing  crops,  which  is  done  by  a  cradle 
on  the  fcythe ;  or,  for  want  of  this,  a  hoop, 
made  of  a  ftrong  brier,  fallow,  or  the  likej 
the  root-end  of  which  is  faftened  in  a  hole, 
made  by  a  fpikc-gimlet,  in  the  Ihaft,  about 
eighteen  inches  from  the  heel  of  the  fcythe  ; 
and  the  top  end  of  the  Hick  muft  be  brought 
with  a  bend  over  the  heel  of  the  fcythe. 

The 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         235 

The  hoop  muft  be  croffed  feveral  times, 
with  cord,  like  a  net  work,  in  order  to 
keep  the  corn  from  falling  through . 

Upon  trial  experience  will  teach  him  far- 
ther. 

The  mower  being  thus  equipped,  let  him 
begin  to  mow,  leaving  the  Handing  corn  on 
his  left  hand ;  that  is  to  fay,  he  muft  leave^ 
the  fwarth  leaning  againft  the  ftanding  corn; 
and  if  he  is  a  dexterous  workman,  he  may 
leave  it  fo  even  and  ftraight,  that  a  crofs 
ftraw  will  fcarce  be  feen. 

After  each  mower  comes  a  gatherer,  with 
reaping-hook,  or  a  fmall  rake  to  make  it 
into  fheaves. 

The  complement,  for  every  two  mowers 
and  two  gatherers,  is,  one  binder  ;  fome- 
times,  when  the  corn  is  rank,  or  a  heavy 
crop,  the  two  gatherers  will  have  a  band- 
maker  between  ;  and  thefc  five  or  fix  perfons 
day's  w^ork  to  mow,  gather,  and  bind,  is, 
four  Englifh  acres  of  fair  ftanding  corn^, 
cither  barley,  beans,  blendings,  or  oats. 

Being  thus  bound,  it  mult  be  fet  up  in 
ftooks  ;  the  fheaves  propping  againft  each 
other,  prefs  the  tops  well  together,  in  order 
to  make  them  thin  and  fharp;  which  will 
fhoot  off  the  rain  the  better. 

The  farmers  in  England,  feldom  put  any 
covering-fheaves  on  their  barley-ftooks ;  but 

leave 


236         A     NEW     SYSTEM 

leave  the  corn-ends  expofcd  to  all  weather  ; 
believing  that  the  corn  hardens  the  quicker, 
and  more  kindly ;  however,  as  Ireland  is  a 
wetter  climate,  1  would  advife  the  farmer 
to  cover  them  at  night,  and  uncover  them 
in  the  morning. 

After  Hooking,  the  barley-ftiibble  muft 
be  raked  with  a  fwarth-rakc  ;  fo  called  from 
the  length  of  its  head,  which  is  fix  feet,  to 
take  a  fv^arth-breadth  at  a  tiinc. 

It  has  one  row  of  iron  pins,  each  pin  eight 
inches  loi^s:  out  of  the  wood,  and  thj-ce  in- 
ches  alunder. 

It  has  a  handle,  in  proportion  to  the  reft 
of  the  rake,  m  which  is  fixed  a  belt  to  go  a- 
bout  the  man's  flioulders,  to  drav/  ic  in  the 
nature  of  a  harrow. 

When  he  finds  his  rake  full,  he  muft  Hft 
it  up,  whereupon  the  corn  drops  out ;  he 
then  goes  on  again,  aKvays  leaving  the  corn 
in  the  fame  place  or  range,  in  the  nature  of 
a  wind-row. 

When  the  field  is  raked,  cock  the  rakings 
like  hr?y;  and  this  is  very  ufeful  to  lay  on 
tops  of  the  held  Hacks ;  as  it  will  lie  better 
than  iheaves,  and  fhoot  the  water  ofl';  but 
in  England  they  never  flack  their  corn  in  the 
field;  but  let  it  ftand  in  the  (look,  till  it  is 
ready  to  take  home  to  the  barn  or  hay- 
yard. 

However 


dt    iTXJSB  ANl^uf.        237 

However,  as  Ireland  is  a  moifter  climate, 
t  believe  it  is  A  very  good  way,  particularly 
if  the  corn  is  to  be  houfed. 

And  perhaps,  if  England  W^S  to  do  the 
like,  it  might  be  better ;  as  it  would  put 
the  ebrri  out  of  danger  of  bad  weather. 

H.  B.  Spring  corn,  fuch  as  barley,  oats, 
beans  and  peale,  are  all  harvefted  the  fame 
way  by  mowing;  therefore,  I  fliall  refer  my 
reader,  for  diredicins  on  thoie  heads,  to  the 
ioregoing  inftruaions.  I  fee  no  better  me- 
thod than  the  .above,  for  harvefting  fpring 
corn  in  America,  both  for  difpatch  and 
ehcapnefs* 


Vol.  11.  H  ^  The 


23.8  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

ThoExpcDGC  andProfit  arifmg  from  an  Acre 
of  Barley,  fown  after  Turnips. 

To  eight  quarters,  at  20s.  per        1.    s.    d. 
Total  produce         -         -  800 


To  two  ploughings,  if  only  with  one 

man  and  two  horfes  -         056 

To   harrowing,  fowing,    rolHng, 

and  water-furrowing         -  030 

To  chance  of  weeding-        -  020 

To  feed  -  -         -050 

To  mowing  -  -  o      i      o 

To  gathering  and  binding  006 

To  raking  with  a  fwarth-rake  004. 

To  ftooking,   carriage  home,  and 

extraordinary  attendance  046 

To  carriage  to  the  market,  and 

expences  extraordinary  -060 
To  land  rent,  upon  a  par     -    -     o  15     o 


Total  expence  224 

Clear  profit  5^7     ^ 

Note^    The  ftraw  pays  for  trcfhing. 

GHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         239 


rCHAP.    XLVIIL 


On  Jive  Sorts  of  Barlsy. 


IRST,  fprat  or  battledore-barley. 
Second,  long-eared  barley. 
Third,  round-eared  fummer  barley. 
Fourth,  round-eared  winter,  or  by  fome 
in  England,  called  big  ;  but  its  true  name  in 
Ireland,  is  here. 

Fifth,  fix-rowed  barky. 
Were  I  to  add  a  long  chain  of  names,  (as 
is  ufual  with  fome  authors)  it  would  be 
Xwelling  my  work  into  a  ufelefs  chit-chat, 
as  every  name  that  is  added  ta  thofe,  is  only 
explaining  the  fame  thing  over  again  ;  for  it 
is  the  different  language,  or  rather  gibberifti 

of 


2+0         ANEW     SYSTEM 

of  diflercnt  kingdoms  or  counties  which 
^ivc  rife  to  fo  many  names  for  one  fort  of 
grain. 

This  may  well  confound  the  ideas  of  a  far- 
mer, who  does  not  know  how  to  account  for 
all  the  names  that  are  given  to  the  fame  fort 
of  grain.  May  not  this  lead  him  to  feck, 
under  a  difguifed  name,  for  the  very  feed 
liimfelf  has  growing  ? 

It  is  true,  different  land  and  tillage  will, 
in  fome  degree,  change  the  form  of  feed, 
as  to  a  thick  or  thin  Ikin,  a  fmall  or  a  large 
iize  or  the  like :  but  the  fpccies  is  yet  the 
fame. 

The  fprat  or  battlc-dore  barley,  has 
only  two  rows  of  grain  ;  for  w4iich  rcafon 
the  ear  is  flat,  the  corn  is  fhort,  plump  and 
thin  Ikinned,  not  inclined  to  have  a  long 
grofs  flraw,  (btit  indeed  this  varies  accord- 
ing to  the  richnefs  of  the  ground  it  is  lown 
on)  it  is  faid  it  will  grow  well  on  many  other 
ibrts  of  land. 

1  have  had  great  crops,  on  tough,  flronsf, 
cold  clay,  or  gravel  land  ;  but  fuch  mufb  be 
weU  pulverifed,  fweetened,  enriched,  mol- 
lified and  warmed  by  tillage. 

Manures  on  fuch  land,  will  not  do  for 
barley,  unliefs  the  cold  four  nature  of  the 
ground  be  changed  by  tillage. 

The 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         241 

The  manure  which  afcends  and  dcfccnds 
'from  th,e  clouds,  is  of  a  warmer  and  ear- 
lier nature  than  any  other  ;  therefore  it  will 
produce  tlie  carlieil  and  thinneft  ikinned 
crops. 

The  long-eared  barley  is  fo  called  from 
its  having  a  long  ear,  by  which  it  may  yield 
more  cont  under  the  flail  :  but  the  grain  is 
fmall  and  lung,  and  has  "a  thick  fkin  ;  it  de- 
lights in  much  the  fame  land  and  tillage  as 
fprat-barley. 

Round-eared  fummer- barley  is  an  excel- 
lent good  yielder  :  it  is  a.  middle  fpecies  be- 
tween berCj,  or  winter-barley,  and  fprat- 
barley  ;  and  therefore  muil  be  fown  early 
in  fpring. 

Tile  lands  of  Ireland,  Scotland  and  the 
North  of  England,  are  very  fuitable  for  it, 
provided  they  are  well  tilled.  It  has  alfo  a 
plumper,  fuller,  or  bolder  grain  than  here, 
though  not  in  this  cafe,  equal  to  Iprat-bar- 
lev. 

It  is  not  fo  delicate  or  tender  as  fprat- 
barley,  neither  is  it  fo  hardy  as  here  :  in- 
deed, it  is  my  choice,  next  to  fprat-barley, 
for  aim  oft  any  fort  of  land  which  is  proper 
for  barley-crops. 

Bere,  winter-barley,  or  big  is  beft  known 
in  Ireland,  or  the  North  of  Scotland  :  and, 
indeed  by  their  tillage,  it  is  moft  fit  for 
them.  1  have 


242         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

I  have  held  feveral  arguments  with  Irl{h 
farmers  about  this  grain,  and  I  generally 
found  the  ftrength  of  their  arguments  to 
hang  upon  prejudiced  old  cuftoms,  believ- 
ing as  their  forefathers  fowed  it,  though  in 
darker  days  of  improvement,  that  they 
would  not  be  right,  if  they  did  not  follow 
their  Heps  :  and  in  fhort,  it  is  as  hard  to 
ihake  their  refolution  from  the  purfuit  of 
this  their  favourite  grain,  as  from  being 
drunk  by  the  whifkey  or  fpirit  it  makes. 

This  bere  is  generally  fown  at  the  fame 
time  with  wheat ;  and  though  flovens  fome- 
times  get  good  crops,  perhaps  chiefly  from 
the  ftrength  of  manure  (as  they  moftly  fow  it 
after  potatoe-crops,  or  on  their  rankeft  land 
which  would  in  fad  bring  onions)  yet  I  ob- 
ferve,  thofe  who  manage  better  have  in  ge- 
neral better  crops ;  and  bring  it  nearer  to 
the  refemblance  or  barley,  for  plumpnefs, 
but  at  beft,  it  is  far  ihort  of  barley  in  value, 
infomuch  that  it  would  hardly  be  fold  in  the 
Englifh  markets  at  any  price,  except  for 
hen-com. 

It  is  a  poor,  long,  fmall  grain,  with  a 
thick  fkin  ;  but  notwithftanding  this,  it  is 
not  without  its  good  qualities,  where  it  is 
ufed  in  its  proper  place. 

It 


OF    HUSBANI>RY.         243 

It  is  to  be  obferved  that  the  poor  of  Ire- 
land live  about  eight  months  out  of  twelve 
OH  potatoes. 

A  potatoe-garden  for  a  poor  family,  is 
generally  about  half  an  Irifh  acre  ;  they  keep 
no  team;  therefore  cannot  till  the  potatoe 
fhibble  fit  for  a  crop  of  barley;  for  it  is  to 
be  obferved,  that  there  is  no  more  of  the 
ground  flirred,  than  what  they  throw  out  of 
the  trenches  to  cover  the  potatoes  with. 

The  bed  on  which  the  potatoes  grow,  lies 
unmolefled  till  the  third  crop  ;  therefore, 
when  they  dig  the  potatoes,  they  fow  the 
here,  and  fhovel  up  the  trencher  to  cover  it, 
which  is  all  the  hufbandry  it  gets  or  wants. 

But  fuch  hufbandry  would  not  do  for  bar- 
ley ;  therefore  in  this  cafe  it  may  have  the 
preference. 


CHAP. 


244        A    NEW     SYSTEMS 


CHAP.     XLLX;. 


On  different  forts  cf  hand  for  Barky. 


BY  dint  of  ploughing,  good  huTbandry 
and  rotation  of  crops,  almofl  any  fort 
of  land  may  be  brought  to  produce  barle>-  ; 
however,  fome  is  better  or  more  fuitable  for 
this  crop  than  others ;  therefore  I  Ihall  begin 
with  the  beft  firft,  and  go  regularly  on  to 
the  worft,  which  fhall  be  placed  lalt,  viz. 

Firft,  loamy  fand. 

Second,  loamy  gravel. 

Third,   chalky  land. 

Fourth,   fandy  land. 

The  above  four  forts  by  nature,  will  pro- 
duce a  long  ear  and  fhort  ftraw,  a  plump, 
ftout  grain,  and  thin  Ikin,  which  is  certain- 
ly of  the  beft  quality. 

Fifth, 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  245 

Fifth,  loamy  gravelly  land  that  lies  over 
limeftonc. 

Sixth,   wrapy  land. 

Seventh,  black  hazel  earth. 

Eighth,  ftrong  clay  land. 

Ninth,  black  mountain  land. 

Tenth,  black,  deep,  moory  bottom  land* 

The  lafl  iix  forts  of  lands  generally  pro- 
duce a  long  ftraw  and  a  fmall  ear,  a  lonsj 
fmall  grain,  and  thick  ikin,  but  may  be 
helped  greatly  by  tillage,  fowing  thin,  and 
particularly  if  the  barley  follow  turnips ;  as 
they  in  all  cafes  are  an  excellent  preparative 
for  this  crop,  and  deferve  to  be  made  a  more 
general  choice  of. 


VoLU,^  li  CHAP. 


2^6        A    NEW    SYSTEM 
CHAP.     L. 

On  the  Management  of  Rye,  both  for  Win- 
ter-Feeding, and  a  Seed-Crop, 


THE  Management  of  rye  is  very  fim- 
ple  and  eafy,  which  few  words  will 
explain.' 

A  farmer  having  ftubble-Iand,  particu- 
larly if  of  a  warm  fandy  nature,  would 
wifh  to  have  it  under  profit  the  winter  half 
year  ;  let  him  plough  it  as  foon  as  the  corn 
is  reaped  :  begin  in  the  middle  of  the  ridge, 
and  gather  or  take  it  up,  that  it  may  lie 
very  high  and  dry :  this  done,  fow  two 
bufhels  of  rye  on  an  Englifh  acre  :  harrow 
it  in ;  and  by  being  thus  early  fown,  the 
Michaelmas-fpring  will  pufh  it  up  fo  for- 
ward, that  it  will  be  mid-leg  deep  by  De- 
cember :  but  though  it  may  be  a  full  eata- 
ble crop  by  this  time,  yet  the  bell  way  is 
not  to  turn  cattle  upon  it  till  fpring:  then 
the  fcarcity  of  other  herbage  will  make  this 
more  valuable.  You 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         24.7 

You  muft  eat  it  off,  time  enough  to  Tow 
fuch  a  fpring-crop  as  you  intend  ;  but  bar- 
ley is  the  mofl  fuitable,  as  it  will  bear  to  be 
lateft  fown,  and  therefore  will  give  the  rye 
more  time  to  be  eat  off. 

If  you  would  have  your  rye  to  fland  for 
leed,  there  are  two  feafons  for  lowing  it, 
namely  at  Michaelmas  and  in  February. 

The  large  winter-rye  nruft  be  fown  at 
Michaelmas,  and  the  fmall  fpring-rye  in 
February. 

bix  pecks  of  feed  are  enough  for  an  acre. 
You  mult  cover  it  with  the  harrow. 

This  fpring-rye  is  fometimes  made  ufe  of 
amongft  the  Englifh  farmers,  if  a  crop  of 
wheat  ibould  mifs  to  low  in  its  place. 

In  fpring  roll  your  rye,  (which  you  in- 
tend to  (land  for  feed)  if  too  forward,  eat 
it  with  (beep  or  calves,  in  the  beginning  of 
May. 

As  the  farmer's  fuccefs  partly  depends  on 
keeping  his  crop  clear  of  weeds ;  this,  as 
in  others,  muft  engage  his  attention. 

As  to  reaping  or  harvefting  rye,  it  is  done 
in  the  fame  way  as  wheat.  « 

Grafs- feeds  may  be  fown  among  rye,  be- 
fore it  is  rolled  in  fpring,  and  will  anfwer  as 
well  as  if  fown  amongft  wheat :  a  crop  of 
rye  is  of  about  the  fame  value  as  a  crop  of 
oats:  but  it  is  a  greater  impovenfher  of  land. 

The 


24?  A     NEW     S  Y  S  T  E  M  , 

'  \ 

Tlic  land  moil  proper  for  rye,  is,  that  of 
a  dry,  open,  loofc,  weak,  fandy  or  nioory 
nature :  and  though  flrong  land  of  a  good 
fort  will  produce  rye,  yet  other  crops  may 
be  adapted  for  fuch  land,  which  are  more 
profitable^ 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  24^ 


XV 


CHAP.     LI. 

Remarks  and  lUufirations  on  Rye, 

^''  E,  formerly  was  greatly  efleemed 
in  the  light  fandy  counties  of  Eng- 
land ;  as  the  farmers  thought  fuch  land 
would  bring  nothing  elfe  :  but  fince  the  new 
hulbandry  of  turnips  and  clover  has  made 
its  way  into  the  world,  it  is  found  that  they 
change  the  nature  ot  the  land,  and  confo- 
lidate  it  in  liich  a  manner,  as  to  prepare  it 
for  a  crop  of  wheat,  which  is  much  more 
valuable  than  rye  ;  however,  rye  is  ftill  ufe- 
hil  in-  its  place  ;  and  particularly  for  fpring 
feeding,  as  it  creates  much  milk;  M'hicli 
makes  it  particularly  uieful  to  feed  early 
lambs  on  :  and  what  Itill  adds  to  its  value 
in  this  cafe,  is  that  the  land  mofl  proper 
for  rye  is  that  of  a  dry,  light,  landy  nature, 
which  if  the  weather  be  ever  fo  wet,  the 
rain  no  fooner  talis  upon,  but  it  finks  thro* 
and  leaves  the  furtace  dry ;  therefore  the 
lambs    can    feed    and   lie   dry  and  warm ; 

whereas 


t,so         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

whereas  if  the  ground  was  clay,  fuch  as 
would  hold  water  on  its  furface,  the  con- 
sequence would  be  bad ;  for  it  would  de- 
ftroy  the  lambs,  or  at  Icaft  be  prejudicial  to 
their  feeding  and  growth.  Alfo  in  fuch 
land,  they  would  tread  and  dirty  the  crop  ; 
fo  that  their  feet  would  deflroy  as  much  as 
their  months. 

Again  rye  is  the  beft  of  all  other  corn  to 
fow  on  reclaimed  bottom,  bog,  or  moun- 
tain. I  fay  the  beft  of  corn,  but  I  appre- 
hend no  corn  is  equal  to  turnips,  rape,  or 
cole-feed,  for  fuch  reclaimed  lands ;  but 
when  rye  is  propagated  on  fuch  land,  it 
muft  be  fown  very  thin,  as  it  will  ftool  very 
much. 

The  confequence  of  fowing  thick,  on 
fuch  land  would  be  dangerous  ;  as  it  would 
produce  much  ftraw  and  little  corn. 

The  great  ufe  for  rye,  is  to  mix  it  with 
wheat  for  bread  :  about  two-thirds  wheat 
and  one  of  rye,  make  well  tafted  bread,  but 
black. 

In  this  mixed  ftate,  it  is  called  meflin. 
Some  fow  wheat  and  rye  mixed,  which  is 
called  meflin  :  but  I  do  not  like  this  method; 
neither  do  I  fee  any  meaning  in  it  :  lor  in 
the  firft  place  they  do  not  ripen  kmdly  to- 
gether ;  befides  if  the  land  will  bring  one 
ear  of  wheat,  by  the  fame  rule  it  may  bring 

two 


OF    HUSBANDRY.        i^i 

two  or  more  ;  and  certainly  wheat  is  a  much 
more  deiirabk  crop,  if  it  can  be  got  on  the 
fame  land. 

Notwithftanding,  rye  is  ftill  ufeful  (as 
before  obferved)  in  fand  countries,  and  for 
reclaiming  bog  with,  where  the  farmer  is 
obftinately  bent  againft  the  turnips  and  clo- 
ver. 

Rye  makes  good  malt  for  the  diflillers ; 
being  of  a  particular  fweet  tafte  or  nature, 
it  therefore  produces  a  great  deal  of  fpirit. 
Again,  a  farmer  may  make  ufe  of  rye 
with  fuccefs,  to  hn^g  his  fows  in  leafon  for 
the  boar  ;  it  having  a  furpriiing  effect  that 
way :  fo  that  they  tell  you,  one  peck  of  rye 
will  make  a  fow  take  the  boar,  be  (he  ever 
fo  poor,  or  foon  after  pigging  ;  others  fay, 
that  it  will  have  the  fame  effed  on  cows  and 
ewes. 

For  the  truth  of  this  laft  affertion,  I  can- 
not vouch  ;  but  I  have  tried  it  on  the  fow 
more  than  once. 

Note,  there  are  only  twa  forts  of  rye 
worth  the  farmer's  notice,  namely,  fmall 
and  big,  and  by  others  called  winter  and 
fummer-rye. 

The  winter-rye  is  a  large  full  grain ;  but 
the  fummer-rye  is  a  fmall  grain,  and  is 
generally  fown  in  fpring,  and  will  be  in  as 
early  at  harveft,  as  that  fown  at  Michael- 
mas. The 


25i         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

The  winter-rye,  fown  to  ftand  the  winter 
is  a  hardy  kind,  and  will  anfwer  cither  to 
{land  for  feed  or  to  be  fown  and  eaten  for 
winter-feeding, 

Rye-ftraw  is  a  very  good  thatch  or  litter, 
but  bad  fodder  for  cattle. 


CHAP, 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         z^:^ 


CHAP.     LII. 

s 

DireBiofis  for  Ploughing,  Sowing  and  bar- 
njejiing  Oats. 

O/VTS  is  a  grain  that  will  grow  alnioft 
on  any  fort  of  land,  or  with  any  kind 
of  hufbandn/  ;  but  though  fometimes  toler- 
able crops  are  got  by  flovens,  yet  thofe  who 
manage  better  may  be  fure  of  a  larger  re- 
turn ;  and  this  is,  or  may  be  got  chiefly  by 
tillage,  and  letting  proper  crops  come  in 
their  right  fucceiTion,  by  which  means 
the  one  crop  is  an  ufeful  preparative  to  ano- 
ther. 

If  ilubble  of  any  fort  be  intended  for  oats, 
it  is  the  better  for  being  ploughed  as  foon  as 
the  grafs  is  eaten  off;  which  is  generally 
about  November;  and  then  it  being  turned 
under,  and  the  roots  of  the  grafs  or  weeds 
expofed  to  the  froil  and  the  inclemency  of 
the  weather,  they  arc  killed,  and  inllead  of 
a  nuifance,  become  a  friendly  manure. 
"Vol.      II.  K  k  Many 


f 


25-4         A     NEW     SYSTEM 

Many  farmers  m^ake  a  pra(ftice  of  fowlnfg 
oats  upon  lay  :  that  is  in  or  about  Febiuary, 
they  plough  up  the  lay,  fow  the  oats,  and 
then  harrow  them  in  very  well,  fo  as  to  be 
all  covered. 

This  may  anfwcr  wh^re  the  land  is  good, 
and  of  a  tender  fod,  not  given  to  coarfc 
grafs,  or  rufhes :  but  however  in  general^ 
1  do  not  approve  of  it,  as  I  look  upon  fal" 
lowing  out  of  the  fod  to  be  the  moft  capi- 
tal management  in  nature,  for  the  reafons- 
]r  have  mentioned  in  the  proper  place. 

The  land  mull  be  ploughed  and  the  feed 
fown  in  February,  or  from  thence  till  the 
latter  end  of  March. 

I  look  upon  three  bulliels  of  oats  to  be  a: 
fufficient  qviantity  for  any  kind  of  land ;  for 
though  it  is  a  grain  that  does  not  ftool,  or 
branch  fo  much  as  barley  or  wheat,  yet  it 
corns  in  proportion  to  the  nourifliment  it 
finds  in  the  ground. 

When  the  oats  are  about  three  weeks  or 
a  month  in  the  ground,  fbw  any  grafs- feeds- 
you  intend  and  roll  them  in,  as  it  will  cover 
I  he  feed,  level  the  ground,  and  help  the 
oats  at  the  lame  time. 

The  oats  mud  be  weeded  about  the  mid- 
dle of  June  ;  then  any  farther  bufincfs  is 
over  until  harvell ;  for  which  obfcrve  the 
dirertions  under  the  head  of  mowing  corn; 

they 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         235 

they  mufl  be  mown  and  harveilcd  the  fain>c 
way. 

Without  doubt,  by  mowing,  there  is 
more  fodder,  and  confequently  more  ma- 
nure ;  bcfides  all  the  hands  it  faves  ;  which 
is  a  valuable  confideration,  at  this  bufy  fea- 
fon  of  the  year  ;  moreover,  it  fhould  be  the 
farmer's  chief  ftudy,  to  work  his  lands  with 
as  little  expencc  and  labour  as  poffible ;  and 
yet  not  to  be  fo  penurious,  as  to  flint  his 
land  of  its  proper  due. 

There  is^a  rnedium  to  be  ufed  in  all  things; 
and  alfo  much  to  be  faid  in  favour  of  genius 
and  contrivance,  particularly  in  farming 
matters ;  as  it  is,  of  all  occupations  of  the 
?moll  general  benefit  to  mankind. 


'CH^P. 


56  A     NEW     S  Y  S  T  E  M 


CHAP.     Lir. 


"^he  Explanation  ofjlx  different  forts  of  Oats* 


\j  ATS  like  moft  other  grains  have  got  a 
jnultiplicity  of  names,  to  exprefs  one  and 
thciamc  thing;  but  this  (as  obferved  in  bar- 
ley) is  owing  to  a  diS'ercnt  dialed  or  confu- 
fion  of  tongues,  peculiar  to  each  country  or 
kingdom.  In  fad,  I  imagine  there  is  none 
more  proper  for  thefe  climates,  than  theft 
lix  forts,  viz, 

Firfl,  the  fmgle  Englifli  white  oat. 

Second,    the  Poland-oat. 

Third,  the  Scotch  black  oat. 

Fourth,  the  naked  oat. 

Fifth,  the  red  oat. 

Sixth,  the  brown  oat,  fown  much  in  the 
fouth  weft  part  of  England. 

If  there  be  any  others  that  vary  from  thcfc 
it  is  not  becaufe  they  are  different  forts  or 
fpecies,   but  becaufe  they  have  been  altered 

in 


OF     HUSBANDRY.  257 

in  cither  colour  or  fizc  by  the  nature  of  the 
ground  or  climate  they  were  fown  in. 

However  there  is  a  particular  choice  to  be 
made  in  all  forts  of  oats,  which  is  very  ma- 
terial for  the  farmer  to  know,  in  order  tq 
h-^ighten  his  fuccels  in  this  crop. 

It  is  to  be  obferved,  that  in  mofl  oats, 
there  are  fome  which  grow  in  couples,  that 
is  a  large  and  a  fmall  one  together,  but  in 
fome  a  great  deal  more  than  others. 

The  farmers,  who  know  the  bad  confe- 
quence  of  thefe  double  oats,  are  very  care- 
ful in  choofing  their  feed,  to  be  all  (if  pof- 
fible)  of  the  i\ng\e  oat :  and  indeed,  they 
have  iuft  grounds  for  this  nicety  ;  as  a  bar- 
rel of  fingle  oats  will  weigh  more,  by  about 
two  f\one,  than  a  barrel  of  the  double  fort: 
and  every  one  will  allow,  that  it  is  the 
weight  that  diflinguifhes  the  goodnefs  or 
badnefs  of  any  corn. 

The  oat  grows  double  from  three  caufer^ 

Firfl,  by  being  Town  too  often  on  oneTort 
of  land  without  changing. 

Secondly,  by  being  lov\^n  too  thick  on 
the  ground. 

1  hirdly,  by  the  ground  being  too  rank. 

When  oats  liave  once  got  into  the  double 
flrain,  they  ought  to  be  fown  no  more,  as 
it  is  hard  to  bring  them  back  to  the  fingjc 
oat  again  :  though  this  may  be  done  by  fow- 


X58         A    N  E  W     S  Y  S  T  I-  M 

ing  very  thin  on  good  flrong  land,  and  till- 
ing well  to  prevent  weeds  Irom  fmothcring 
the  oats,  and  drawing  them  tip  weak. 

I  look  upon  the  Engliili  fingJc  \vhire  oat 
to  be  the  beft  of  all  or!;.ers,  Tor  the  climate 
and  lands  of  England  or  Ireland,  as  it  is. a 
good  yielder,  botli  in  corn  and  meal,  and 
ripens  even  :  which  is  a  very  niatcr  al  point 
in  this  crop,  it  being  Co  fubjed  to  Ihcd,  or 
ihake  its  feed. 

The  next  in  value,  particularly  for  the 
wet  or  cold  lands  of  Ireland,  or  the  north 
of  England,  is  the  black  Scots  oat  :  this 
yields  well,  both  in  corn  and  meal,  and  is 
early  ripe ;  therefore  niay  be  fown  later,  if 
a  cold  v/et  fpring,  by  three  weeks,  than  any 
other  fort :  the  meal  alfo  has  a  peculiai'  rich 
fvveet  tafle. 

The  Poland  oat  is  a  fine,  ihort,  plump 
grain :  the  flraw  fhort  and  fine  :  but  it  will 
not  turn  out  near  fo  much  corn  on  an  acre 
as  the  two  former. 

Again  it  is  very  fubje(r{:  to  /lied, with  the 
icalt  wind,  the  top  and  the  befl  of  the  corn 
whilft  that  on  the  bottom  branches  is  green; 
particularly  if  the  land  be  cold  and  wet : 
but  indeed  on  warm,  gravelly  or  fandy  land, 
it  ripens  more  even  :  thereiore  a  farmei  has 
;i  better  rhance  to  catch  his  crops  before  it 
iheds :  h\it  "Lb  o;^t  jntin:  be  cut,  while  the 

chaflF 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         259 

cha:ff  or  huflv  on  the  lower  branches  is 
grcenilh  :  for  if  they  be  let  Hand  till  they 
turn  as  white  as  the  top-branches,  half  of 
the  crop  will  be  loil  in  harveding. 

The  naked  oat  is  a  fmall  grain  :  it  is  call- 
ed naked,  becaule  it  has  no  bran  upon  it, 
like  other  gram,  but  grows  in  the  fame 
ilate  as  the  kernel  of  the  common  oat  when 
fhelled  :  therefore  it  is  a  ready  grain  fo3- 
bread  :  as,  when  it  is  threflied,  there  is  im 
more  to  do  to  bring  it  to  meal,  than  to  grind 
it,  and  then  it  is  all  meal,  and  no  bran  :  it 
is  a  fweet  meal,  and  confequently  makci 
good  bread. 

When  it  is  fown  on  land  proper  for  it\, 
it  will  produce  as  good  or  profitable  a  crop 
as  other  oats:  for  though  the  bulk  will  be 
wanting,  the  meal  is  there:  and  if  it  be  a 
good  crop,  the  grain  may  be  as  large  as  the 
kernel  of  com.mon  oats,  when  fhelled 

The  ftraw  is  fhort  aud  fine:  therefore  good 
fodder  for  cattle.  This  oat  does  not  Rool 
or  branch  much  :  therefore  it  muft  be  fown 
pretty  thick  on  the  ground  :  two  bufhels 
will  do  this,  as  the  grain  is  fmall. 

They  muft  not  be  fown  under  furrow, 
but  harrowed  in  :  as  the  grain's  fmall  weak 
nature  would  not  be  able  to  work  through 
<L  thick  furrow* 

The 


26o  A     NEW     SYSTExM 

The  land  for  this  crop  mul\  be  finely  till- 
ed ;  and  as  all  land,  alter  ploughing,  has  an 
uneven  furface,  it  is  necelVaiy  beiore  this 
grain  is  fown,  to  harrow  it  once  in  a  place, 
to  le^el  it,  to  prevent  the  feed  falling  too 
deep,  and  alfo  to  make  it  fpread  even,  and 
go  farther  ;  after  the  grain  is  fov,  n,  harrov^r 
it  fine. 

Delay  lowing  grafs- feeds,  till  the  firft  of 
May,  that  thefc  oats  may  get  a-head,  or 
they  vviil  be  fmothered,  being  a  fmall  plant. 
The  feafon  for  fowing  the  oats,  is  about  the 
firrtjof  April. 

The  red  oat  takes  its  name  from  the  co- 
lour it  bears  ;  though  in  fa6t  it  is  not  abfo- 
lutcly  red  ;  therefore  1  think  the  name  is 
wrong  applied  ;  the  colour  is  of  a  fandy 
cai\,  much  like  oats  that  have  been  heated 
in  the  Hack. 

It  is  a  heavy  thin  (Vanned  oat ;  therefore 
yields  well  in  meal,  and  will  nearly  produce 
as  much  on  an  acre  as  the  Englifh  white  oat ; 
how^ever,  it  requires  a  rich,  .waj"m,  well- 
tilled  loil. 

I  have  heard  gentlemen  fay,  they  have 
had  greater  produce  from  this  than  any  other 
crop  :  but  as  that  was  not  my  cafe,  I  can- 
not fpcak  fj'orti  experience  in  this  particu- 
lar. 

Tiic 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  261 

The  Expe.ice  and  Profit  arifing  from  an 
Acre  of  Oats,  EngUfh  Meafure,  at  five 
Yards  and  a  Half  to  the  Perch. 

1.     s.     d. 

To  feven  quarters  of  oats,  at  i8s. 

per  -  -  -  660 

To  ploughing  twice,  with  one  man 

and  two  horfes>  -  -050 

To  harrowing,  fo wing,  rolling  and 

water-furrowing,  -         -020 

To  chance  of  weeding,  -  020 

To  feed,  -  -  -092 

To  mowing,  -  -^  010 

To  gathering  and  binding,  -010 
To  fwarth-raking,  -  -  004 
To  {looking,  carriage   home,  and 

attendance,  -  -  02a 

To  carriage   to*  the  market,    2tnd 

expences,  -  -  -060 
To  land-rent,  -  -  0150 


Total  expencc  '^3     3 


Clear  profit  42^ 


CHAP. 


i6%  A     NEW    1$  Y  S  T  E  M 


CHAP.     LIV. 


On  the  White  Fetch. 


THE  white  vetch,  in  fomc  degree, 
partakes  of  the  nature  of  a  white  or 
boiling  pea,  as  it  will  boil  foft  and  fmooth 
like  that  grain  ;  and  is  chieily  uled  for  mak- 
ing puddings  of;  it  is  mild,  good  and  pa- 
latable, conlequently  very  proper  for  that 
purpofe. 

It  only  diiFers  from  the  common  vttch  in 
colour,  which  is  milk  white,  but  the  fhape 
of  the  grain  and  the  draw  is  like  it ;  how- 
crer  it  will  not  (land  the  winter  fo  well. 
being  of  a  tender  ngturc. 

The  proper  time  to  fow  it,  is  in  April, 
it  thrives  beft  in  light  fandy  land,  and  like* 
to  be  fet  in  drills,  and  hoed  ;  it  it  be  ma- 
naged thus,  it  will  produce  a  great  return. 


C«AP. 


OF    HUSBANDRT.         263 

CHAP.     LV.. 

On  the  Sihorian,  or  naked  Wheats 


TH  E  naked  wheat  is  a  native  of  Siberia> 
a  very  barren  and  cold  climate.  The 
land  is  covered  with  fnow  nine  months  in 
the  year ;  confequently  there  ar«  only  three 
months  to  till,   fow  and  reap  in. 

Their  chief  fupport  of  corn,  is  this  naked 
wheat.  This  grain  partakes  of  two  fpecies 
of  corn,  viz.  wheat  and  barley  ;  one  fide  of 
the  grain  refembles  the  former,  and  the 
other  the  latter. 

Tt  is  a  very  quick  grower,  and  lies  but  a 
fh^rt  time  in  the  ground  before  it  vege- 
tates. 

it  is  a  full  plump  corn  ;  about  five  hun- 
dred grains  weigh  an  ounce  ;  therefore  it  is 
about  one  fixth  bolder  than  Engliih  wheat. 

It  comes  up  with  a  very  broad,  llrong, 
healthy  blade,  owing  to  the  longnefs  of  the 
gram,  and  the  quantity  of  nitrous  particles 

it 


264         A     NEW     SYSTEM 

it  contains.  The  ftrarv  is  as  (Iron^  or  as 
^^lofs  as  that  of  wheat,  ar.d  the  grain  grov\'$ 
in  a  chaff  Jike  it. 

As  it  partakes  of  the  Hkcnels,  fo  does  it 
of  the  quality,  of  both  whea^  and  barley,  lor 
it  makes  good  bread,   and  good  drink. 

in  order  to  prove  its  value  more  particu- 
larly, a  bufhel  was  ground  and  made  into 
bread  j  twelve  pounds  of  wheat  feconds 
were  made  into  a  loaf ;  and  a  like  quantity 
of  this  Siberian  wheat  was  alfo  made  into  a 
loaf,  and  both  put  into  one  oven.  When 
they  were  backed,  the  Englilh  wheat  loaf 
weighed  iifreen  pounds,  and  that  of  the  Si- 
berian eighteen;  and  the  bread  of  the  latter 
wa3  as  good  as  that  of  our  Englifh  wheat ; 
neither  does  it  produce  half  the  quantity  of 
bran  as  common  wheat. 

There  are  two  forts  of  this  Siberian  wheat; 
one  has  a  flat  ear  with  only  two  rows,  like 
tliat  of  flat,  or  what  is  called  battledore- 
bailey ;  the  other  has  fix  rows  in  one  ear, 
and  the  grain  in  them  much  fmaller  than 
that  in  the  ear  with  two  rows.  Both  forts 
arc  bearded  like  barley. 

One  bufhel  was  melted  and  made  into*^ 
fmall  beer  and  ale.  both  of  which  v  ere 
very  good  and  picafant  to  drink;  and  it  was 
found  to  produce  a  greater  yield  than  our 
common  barley  ;  perhaps  owing  to  its  thin 
ikin,  and  fullnefs  ot  flour.  In 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         265 

In  1767,  a  nobleman  brought  from  Si- 
beria one  pint,  and  gave  it  to  the  Society 
of  Arts  and  Sciences. 

•  Thofe  gentlemen  judged  from  the  look 
•f  the  grain,  and  from  the  nature  of  the 
country  and  climate  it  came  from,  that  it 
would  be  of  great  utility  to  England,  could 
a  quantity  be  raifed  fufficient  to  feed  the 
the  kingdom. 

Upon  which  they  divided  their  fmall  por- 
tion among  fuch  perfons  as  they  thought 
would  be  induflrious  and  careful  enough  to 
make  the  mod  of  the  produce. 

A  common  wine-glafs  full  was  given  to 
Mr.  Halliday,  of  Liverpool,  half  of  which 
he  gave  to  another  gentleman. 

Mr.  Halliday,  like  a  faithful  fervant,  did 
not  hide  his  talent  in  a  napkin,  but  by  pro- 
per judgment  and  induftry,  he  fowcd  and 
made  it  produce  thoufands,  and  ten  thou- 
fands,  as  from  this  fmall  quantity  has 
fprung,  in  the  four  laft  years,  many  hun- 
dred buflie.'s. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Meredith  was  not  idle  in 
this  public  fpirited  undertaking.  He  pro- 
cured a  quantity  from  Mr.  Halliday,  ar.d 
divided  it  among  fuch  of  his  acquaintance, 
as  he  hoped  would  propagate  it  to  the  beft 
advantage. 

He 

Vol,  II.  L  1 


266  A     N  E  \V     SYSTEM 

He  was  fo  kind  as  to  fend  me  one  buihcl, 
which  he  got  from  Mr.  Halliday;  for  vvhith 
I  return  both  thofe  gentlemen  my  fincerc 
thanks,  and  Ihall  ever  think  niyfelf  under  a 
great  obligaiion  Jbr  the  favour. 

But  the  lall  feafon  I  had  not  an  oppor- 
tunityto  do  it  juftire,  which  was  owing  to 
a  difappointment  occafioned  by  the  negle<fl 
of  carriers ;  for  though  it  left  Livei*pool  the 
laft  day  of  April,  yet  it  did  not  arrive  in 
York  till  the  7th  of  June,  which  gave  mc 
great  uneafinefs,  as  1  looked  upon  the  leafon 
as  over,  the  feed  loft,  and  my  great  expec- 
tations at  an  end  for  that  tmie. 

However^  as  foon  as  it  arrived,  on  the 
7th  of  June,  I  trench-ploughed  a  piece  of 
bad  land,  covered  with  heath  and  other 
rubbilh,  and  which  had  been  lately  inclofed 
from  a  common. 

On  this  I  lowed  it,  and  notwithftanding 
all  difadvantages,  it  was  a  tolerable  good 
crop,  and  much  better,  I  am  fatislied,  than 
any  fort  of  Englifh  grain  would  have  been, 
had  it  been  fowed  on  the  fame  land,  and  at 
the  fame  time  of  the  year. 

I  had  received  a  few  grains  from  another 
hand.  This  1  {et  in  a  proper  feafon,  and 
upon  good  land,  each  grain  at  a  foot  afun- 
dcr,  which  gave  a  produce  of  about  two 
thoufand  fold. 

In 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         267 

In  ihort  it*is  the  greateft  multiplier  I  ever 
faw ;  for.  though  it  will  grow  better  than 
other  grain  upon  bad  land,  yet  if  the  ground 
be  good,  it  vviil  ftool  out,  and  flourilh  in 
proportion,  but  the  grcatcft  care  mull  be 
taken  not  to  over  (eed  tlie  ground. 

The  proper  feafon  for  fovving  it,  is  about 
the  beginning  of  April.  Trench-plough 
the  Jand  to  {mother  the  weeds,  and  to 
raife  a  glod  deep  mold. 

Then  harrow  it  well,  but  with^rare,  not 
to  drag  up  the  fods  or  weeds  with  the  har- 
row pins. 

'  Being  thus  prepared,  fet  your  Siberian 
wheat  with  a  dibble  or  fetting-ftick,  and 
make  the  holes  at  one  foot  diftance  from 
each  other  i  into  each  hole  put  three  grains, 
and  let  the  land  be  of  what  degree  of  rich- 
nefs  it  may,  doubt  not  but  nature  will  force 
out  flooling  branches  fufficient  to  fill  the 
furface  of  the  earth,  and  give  a  greater  pro- 
duce than  If  you  croud  the  ground  too 
much  with  {ced. 

Ev  the  above  method,  it  will  not  coll  for 
fetting  above  two  or  three  (hillings  an  acre 
at  mod  ;  but  if  the  ground  were  holed  with 
my  tranlplanting  machine,  the  labour  and 
cxpence  would  be  ftill  lefs ;  and  the  feed  is 
a  mere  trifle,  for  about  twelve  pounds  of 
naked  wheat  will  feed  an  acre,  and  thirteen 

pounds 


i6Z        A     NEW     SYSTEM 

pounds  and  a  half  of  English  wheat  will  fet 
an  acre  hkewife,  and  fo  in  proportion  for 
every  fort  of  grain,  according  to  the  largc- 
nels  of  the  feed. 

After  the  feed  is  fet,  cover  it  by  filling 
the  holes  with  a  rake.  One  man  will  cover 
at  leaft  two  acres  in  a  day,  by  this  method  ; 
and  if  you  pleafe,  you  may  fow  grals-fecds 
before  the  ground  is  raked,  and  be  affured 
they  will  grow,  and  thrive  better  amongil; 
corn  thus  regularly  fet,  than  if  fown  pro- 
jnifcuoufly  in  the  common  method  This 
is  a  fuitable  ieed  for  America,  as  it  is  a 
quick  grower,  and  likes  heat  and  a  light 
foil. 


CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  269 


CHAP.     LVI. 

A  Dialouge  between  a  Farmer  and  the 
Author. 


Varmtr, 

1 
culture  P 


tT7  HAT  is  the  firll  principle  of  agrl- 


Author. 

The   firft  principle  in  agriculture,  is  to 
make   heavy    land   light,    and   light    land 

heavy. 

Farmer. 

How  may  this  be  effe^cd  ? 

Author, 

It  may  be  done  two  ways  ;  neither  of 
which  can  fail  of  fuccefs.  Firft,  by  laying 
fand  upon  heavy  clay  land,  and  clay  upon 
light  Tandy  ground;    which   tempers   the 

twt 


170         A     NEW     SYSTEM 

two  extremes,  and  brings  them  to  a  friend- 
ly loam.  Secondly,  by  trench-ploughing 
as  direded  in  this  work. 

Farmer, 

Why  trench-p'! onghi ng  ;  will  not  our 
common  method  do  better ;  particularly 
on  our  thin  down-lands,  where,  if  wc 
plough  above  two  or  three  inches  deep, 
"we  Ipoil  the  ground  ? 

Author^ 

This  is  a  bugbear  that  many  farmers  arc 
frightened  at  without  any  real  caufe,  as  any 
land  will  bear  trench-ploughing.  For, 
though  the  under  ftratum  of  lomc  land,  at 
firll  turning  up,  may  be  ftubborn  and  un- 
kind, yet,  being  expofcd  to  the  atmof- 
pherc,  together  Avith  a  top-dreffing  of  a 
compoft,  or  fome  other  fine,  rotten  manure 
will  bring  it  to  a  mellow  temporate  corn 
mold. 

'Parmer. 

In  what  fort  of  foil  will  trench -ploughing 
anfwer  beft  ? 

Author, 

In  all  forts  vrithout  exception. 
.  Farmer 


•    OF    HUSB  ANDRf*         271 

Yarmer, 

In  what  fortf  will  thin  ploughing  anfwcr 
beft  ? 

Author, 

In  none,  for  the  oppofite  rcafon. 

Yarmer. 

Pray  favour  me  with  your  reafons,  upon 
which  you  ground  this  bold  affertion?  And 
take  care  they  be  iubftantial,  or  I  fhall  bring 
a  jury  of  farmers  upon  you. 

Author, 

It  is  not  the  firft  time  I  have  been  criticifed 
upon  by  them  ;  and  yet  I  have  convinced  a 
great  many  of  them,  either  by  ocular  dc- 
monftration,  or  argument,  ot  their  error  ; 
and  fome,  to  my  certain  knowledge^,  have 
ventured  out  of  their  old  road,  and  are  now 
reaping  the  profit  of  it. 

Yarmer. 

Your  rcafon  upon  fhallow  ploughing,  if 
you  pleafe  P 

Author 


■i^t         A     NEW     S  Y  S  T  E  M 
Author. 

On  high,  thin,  gravelly,  or  fandy  land, 
which  lies  near  chalk  or  hme-ftonc,'  and  the 
furface,  or  corn  mold,  mixed  with  any  fort 
of  fmall  ftone  or  pebbles.  If  fuch  be  tilled 
fhallow,  it  is  not  confident  with  reafon  that 
it  can  jproduce  a  good* crop  :  for  it  is  well 
known,  that  corn  roots  llrike  no  deeper 
than  the  plough  has  gone. 

Suppole  a  plough  only  turns  up  two  or 
three  inches  of  earth,  fo  thin  a  body  of 
mold  is,  by  the  fun,  foon  heated  throui^h 
to  the  roots  of  the  corn  ;  and,  being  mixed 
among  flint,  or  llonc,  adds  to  the  evil,  as^ 
they  reflect  a  double  portion  of  heat,  which 
burns  or  extrads  the  juices  from  the  tender 
fibrous  root ;  confequently  muft  render  the 
crop  weak  and  fickly  :  in  a  dry  fummer  the 
crop  is  fcarce  worth  reaping,  and  in  a  wet 
one,  which  luits  fuch  land  beft,  it  docs  not 
produce  above  half  the  •  crop  it  would,  if 
properly  tilled  ;  for,  by  nature,  fuch  land  is 
good  and  full  of  falts,  and  could  not  mifs  of 
a  crop,  were  it  tilled  or  brought  to  a  proper 
depth  of  corn  mold. 

Varmer. 

In  what  cjfe  docs  trench-ploughing  pre- 
vent the  fun  from  burning  the  roots,  5cc. 
complaioed  of  in  tjie  oppolite  cafe  P 

Author 


OF    HUSBANDRY,  257 

Author. 

Indeed,  Mr.  Farmer,  you  feem  to  trifle 
with  your  own  underftanding,  or  you  would 
not  make  me  walle  time  in  anlwering  fo 
Ample  a  queftion  :  befides,  I  have  already 
treated  pretty  largely  upon  this  fubjed,  in 
my  firft  volume  ;  however,  as  few  words 
will  do,  you  ihall  be  indulged. 

By  trench-ploughing,  the  upper  fod,  or 
corn-mold,  talis  to  the  bottom  ot  the  furrow, 
perhaps  eight  or  ten  inches  deep.  That 
fod,  which  is  interwoven  with,  and  full  of 
roots  of  grafs,  weeds,  ftubble,  &:c.  contains 
a  great  deal  of  nitrous  and  juicy  particles ; 
and  thefe  roots,  being  covered  with  a  fuf- 
ficicnt  quantity  of  maiden  earth,  cannot 
vegetate,  but  are  fmothered  and  killed.  The 
death  of  them  brings  on  a  fermentation ; 
then  follows  a  putrefadion,  which  turns 
them  into  manure  ;  and  confequently  makes 
them  food  proper  for  other  plants. 

And  as  thefe  juicy  particles  lie  too  deep 
for  the  iun  to  extradt  them  trom  the  earth, 
their  enriching  fubftance  is  a  kindly  food 
for  the  corn-roots  to  feed  upon  all  fummer  \ 
neither  can  the  earth,  fo  long  as  they  remain 
in  it,  run  together  in  a  dole  folid  body 
nor  can  it  be  called  barren  or  thirfty ;  but 
the  root  will  always  find  admittance   and 

Vol  II.  Mm  uounlhment 


27V         A    NEW    SYSTENf 

nourlfhment  in  it,  and  will  not  fail  to  cn^ 
large  the  ear  upwards,  in  proportion  to  the 
depth  it  goes ;  For  no  fibre  will  go  farther 
than  the  earth  contains  food  iuitable  to  its 
nature.  In  Ihort,  if  the  ground  be  hot  and 
fandy,  trench-ploughing  makes  it  cold  and 
moift;  and,  if  ftrong  and  clayey,  it  opens 
it,  and  keeps  it  loofe  and  mellow. 


CHAP.     LVII. 

hfew  Remarks  made  in  the  Wejl  of  England. 

BEING  glad  both  to  give  and  receive 
any  inRrudions,  that  may  be  of  utility' 
to  the  public,  for  the  improvement  of  agri- 
culture, when  upon  my  travels,  I  generally 
wait  upon^  fuch  gentlemen-farmers  as  I  am 
told  are  beft  able  to  fatisfy  my  curiofity  ; 
and  alfo  moft  likely  to  take  advice. 

And  as  1  am  well  convinced  of  the  great 
advantage  that  would  accrue,  not  onl)  to 
r'-ic  huibandman,  but  alfo  to  the  public  in 

general 


OF    HUSBANDRY.        ^^^ 

general,  could  the  farmers  be  prevailed 
upon  to  put  in  pradice  trench-ploughing, 
and  fettmg  the  feed  regularly. 

I  generally  introduce  thofe  fubjecT:s,  and 
am  as  often  anfwered,  that  fetting  the  feed 
grain  by  grain,  would  be  too  tedious  and 
cxpenfive  ;  and  as  to  trench- ploughing, 
their  land  will  not  bear  it. 

However,  I  ftldom  quit  the  field  till,  by 
trying  the  ground,  I  have  convinced  them 
of  their  miliake  in  the  matter  of  trench- 
ploughing. 

I  have  fometimes  ftarted  this  fubjeift 
among  a  company  of  farmers  ;  and  have  had 
the  fatisfadion  to  find  fome  of  them  quote 
circuml\ances  to  back  my  arguments  i  two 
©r  three  of  which  I  (hall  mention  as  follows  : 

iVir.  William  Lacy,  of  Ropley,  in  Han^p- 
fhire,  faid  that  he  had  a  piece  of  thin  chalky 
land,  which  a  few  years  ago  he  ploughed  in 
a  very  dry  time  ;  his  orders  to  the  plough- 
men, were  to  plough  it  as  ufual,  perhaps 
not  above  two  or  three  inches  deep,  for  fear 
«f  coming  too -near  the  chalk,  which  would 
fpoil  the  land. 

However,  as  the  ground  was  extremely 
hard  and  dry,  the  men  could  not  obey  their 
mailer's  orders;  for  inftead  of  three  inches, 
the  earth  broke  up  from  the  bed  of  chalk, 
and  turned  up  in  large  furrows,  perhaps  a 
.foot  thick.  Tive 


t75        A    NEW    SYSTEM 

The  farmer  as  well  -as  his  neighbours, 
thought  the  land  was  fpoilcd  for  ever;  but 
contrary  to  his  expedations,  he  never  had 
fo  good  crops  on  that  ground  before,  as  lie 
had  both  that  year  and  Tince. 

The  like  cafe  happened  to  ore  Farmer 
Baker,  not  far  from  Warminfler  Wilts, 
— For  though  the  land  broke  up  from  the 
chalk,  yet  it  brout^ht  better  crops  after  thii 
deep  ploughing  than  before. 

A  gentleman  farmer,  near  Froome,  in 
Somcrfetfhire,  ploughed  a  piece  of  f\iong 
clay-land,  in  a  dry  time.  His  intention  was 
to  plough  it  thin  ;  for  as  it  had  a  white  clay 
imder  the  corn-mold,  he  was  afraid  to  turn 
it  up,  leaft  it  fhould  fpoil  the  ground.  But 
contrary  to  his  defire,  the  ground  rofe  in 
large  thick  furrows,  and  brought  up  much 
clay  with  it.  However,  the  clay  melted 
with  the  fun  in  fummer,  and  the  froil  in 
"winter;  and  both  the  ground  with  the  crops 
upon  it,  have  been  much  better  fince  tha» 
before. 

Mr.  Davis  of  Frampton,  in  Dorfetfhirc^ 
a  very  worthy  gentleman  farmer,  ploughed 
a  piece  of  down-land  much  deeper  than 
common,  and  his  crops  were  a  great  deal 
better  for  it.  I  have  forgot  the  particulars 
of  this  experiment,  but  well  remember  the 
fubftance,  as  it  caufed  a  laugh  ia  the  com- 
pany at  dinner.  I  as 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         ey/ 

I,  as  ufnal,  was  extolling  trench-plough- 
ing, but  Mr.  Davis  was  not  without  a  grraC 
many  doubts  and  fears,  that  his  land  would 
not  bear  it.  However  in  the  midft  of  his 
fcruples,  he  recollec^led  the  above  cafe, 
which  had  happened  to  himfelf. 

Mr.  Ingram  df  Clarendon-Park,  near  Sa- 
lifbury,  Wilts,  rents  a  down  farm.  He  has 
a  large  field  near  his  houfe,  which  he  fal- 
lowed laft  fumnier.  The  ground  was  very 
full  of  weeds  and  fcutch-grafs,  and  he  had 
taken  a  great  deal  of  pains  to  deflroy  them, 
by  ploughing,  and  harrowing  it  many  times 
over.  At  the  time  I  was  there,  he  was 
burning  the  weeds,  and  fuch  lubbifh  as  was 
harrowed  up. 

J  told  him  he  might  have  improved  the 
land  much  better,  and  with  a  great  deal  lefs 
cxpcnce,  if  he  had  trench-plowed  it,  for  by 
that  means  all  the  fubllance  of  the  weeds 
would  have  remained  in  the  ground,  and 
turned  into  a  rich  manure  ;  whereas  by 
burning  them,  fuch  enriching  qualities  arc 
evaporated. 

In  fhort,  I  explained  to  him  the  whole 
method  and  value  of  trench-ploughing, 
which  he  feemed  to  liften  to  with  attention 
but  was  not  without  his  doubts  and  fears, 
fhatthe  ground  would  not  bear  it ;  however 
$hofe  doubts  were  foon  removed,  by  trying 

the 


2j%         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

the  ground  with  a  fpadc.  But  what  ftrengfh- 
ened  my  argument  the  more,  was  a  garden 
which  had  been  inckifed  from  the  faid  field. 
He  told  me  that  for  fome  years  after  the 
garden  was  inclofed,  it  produced  very  bad 
crops.  Every  thing  that  grew  in  it  was 
fmall  and  runtilh  ;  neither  could  the  ground 
be  kept  free  from  weeds.  A  gardener  told 
him.  as  a  great  fecret,  that  if  he  would  have 
good  crops,  he  muft  trench  to  the  depth 
of  three  fpade-grafts,  and  throw  to  the  bot- 
tom all  the  upper  mold  which  contained 
the  weeds.  He  did  fo,  and  ever  fince  it 
has  been  the  beft  garden  in  the  country. 

When  he  ronfidered  well  the  whole  af- 
fair, he  liked  the  fchemc  ;  and  immediately 
got  a  plough  made  according  to  my  direrti- 
ons  ;  and  as  wheat  feed  time  was  then  com- 
ing on,  he  trench-ploughed  the  land  on 
■which  he  fowed  his  wheat.  He  allowed  to 
each  acre  only  about  half  the  quantity  of 
feed  that  is  commonly  ufed.  And  at  this 
time,  there  is  not  a  crop  in  the  neighbour- 
ing country  that  looks  fo  well  as  his. 

The  laft  time  I  faw  him  in  Salilhury,  he 
told  me  that  many  farmers  hearing  of  his 
proceedings,  came  to  fee  his  trenched-land 
and  crop;  and  every  one  approved  of  it; 
and  that  he  knew  a  great  many  who  were 
then  getting  trench-ploughs  made  from  his 

pattcrp 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         2j^ 

pattern,  and  that  he  was  fure  it  would  gain 
ground  amazingly. 

Mr.  Hardy,  of  Martins-town,  Dorfet,  is* 
a  very  confiderable  gentleman-farmer,  and' 
feems  to  be  indued  with  talents  and  a  fpirit 
for  improvement,  I  (hewed  him  how  to 
alter  his  plough,  for  the  purpofe  of  trench- 
ploughing.  He  told  me  that  he  would  cer- 
tainly begin  this  piece  of  hufbandry. 

Mr.  Thomas  Nicholls,  of  Burton,  Dorfet, 
is  a  confiderable  gentleman -farmer ;  and  one" 
that  feems  to  excel  in  hufbandry.  He  is 
fo  much  bent  upon  this  method  oi^  trench- 
ploughing,  that  he  offered  my  ploughman' 
thirty  pounds  a  year,  which  by  the  bye,  I 
^o  not  thank  him  for;  as  it  has  made  the 
jnan  faucy  ever  fince. 

William  Helyar,  Efq.  of  Coker  in  Somer- 
ffetfhire,  a  gentleman  fond  of  improvements 
is  alfo  determined  to  begin  the  method  of 
larench-ploughing. 

Upon  looking  over  my  memorandum 
book,  1  find  no  Ids  than  two  hundred  and 
twenty-nine,  to  whom  I  have  ihewed  in  the 
Well  of  England,  how  to  alter  the  ploughs' 
for  trench-ploughing;  and  who  told  me 
that  they  would  abloiutely  put  in  pracftice, 
what  1  have  taken  fo  much  pains  to  make 
thewi  underiiand  tor  their  own  mteieit. 

Arid-^ 


2So         A    NEW     SYSTEM 

And  now  I  beg  leave  to  clear  up  a  doubt 
which  may  arife  in  my  reader,  for  (lavs 
he)  felf-intcrefl  is  the  firil  law  of  nature; 
therefore,  if  Mr.  Varlo  has  no  private  view, 
why  fhouid  he  take  all  this  trouble  to  iii- 
ilrud  the  farmers  P  But,  1  can  allure  him 
mine  are  public  fpirited,  and  not  (ellifh 
views.  For  though  1  have  fpent  confidcr- 
able  fums  in  travelling,  and  taken  a  great 
deal  of  trouble  upon  the  occafion,  1  defy 
any  one  to  fay,  that  1  ever  reaped  a  Ihl Hi ng 
advantage,  for  any  thing  1  ever  ihewed  him; 
and  to  avoid  any  appearance  of  private  in- 
terefb,  1  would  rather  go  to  an  inn,  and  pay 
for  what  I  had,  than  live  at  Iree  coll  at  the 
houfes  of  gentlemen  ;  whom,  to  give  them 
their  due,  1  have  found  in  general  very  hof- 
pitahle. 

Should  it  be  objecfled  to  me,  that  I  have 
foine  intcrcfl  in  publifliing  this  work.  1  an- 
fwer  that  I  have,  indeed,  a  Imall  profit  there- 
in i  but  1  could  have  reaped  three  times  as 
much,  had  1  ftayed  at  home  and  wrote  it  by 
my  own  fire-lide.  But  though  this  would 
have  turned  more  to  my  advantage,  yet  it 
would  not  have  been  i'o  much  for  the  pub- 
lic good.  For  1  am  convinced,  that  many 
farmers  to  whom  I  have  explained  thefe  ia- 
tcrelling  methods  of  huibandry,  will  prac- 
tice irom  what  I  Ihewed  j  who  probably 

would 


OF     HUSBAliTDRY.         281 

would  have  overlooked  them,  had  they  on- 
ly read  the  books.  Precedent  joined  with 
precept,  is  very  prevailing ;  and  both  tend 
towards  pradice. 


CHAP.     LVIII. 

On  thin  Sowing,  &cc. 

AS  in  my  laft  chapter  I  gave  fome  fa- 
vourable hints  upon  deep  ploughing, 
gathered  from  feveral  counties  j  this  chap- 
ter, in  like  manner,  will  prove  the  value  of 
thin  rowing,  which  particularly  deferves  the 
farmer's  attention. 

A  tradcfman  in  Gloucefter,  has  one  acre 
©f  land,  which  lies  within  the  turnpike. 
The  iame  has  been  fome  time  occupied  as  a 
garden ;  but  it  being  overun  with  v^eeds, 
he  was  advifed  to  fow  it  with  wheat,  and 
lay  it  down  with  grafs-feeds,  which  accord- 
ingly he  did  ;  but  contrary  to  the  common 

Vol.  11.  Nn  method; 


2^         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

mexliod  :  for  he  bought  a  peck  of  wheat,, 
rjid  after  the  land  was  properly  tilled,  hired" 
two  woaicn  to  fct  it  grain  by  grain,  with 
letting  ilicks. 

They  ulcd  only  feven  pints  of  the  feed, 
•and  finilhed  the  acre  in  thirteen  hours. 

I'hey  had  orders  to  make  each  hole  nine 
inches  aiunder,  and  in  each  to  drop  one 
grain  of  corn.  However,  as  they  had  no 
regular  rule  to  go  by,  they  might  err  in  the 
diftanrc,  and  alfo  fometimcs  put  more  grains 
than  one  in  a  hole. 

The  feed  was  fet  in.  February,  and  the 
land  hoed  in  April,  to  keep  down  the  weeds, 
which  Iprung  up  very  plentifully.  Clover 
feed  was  fown  immediately  after. 

In  July,  I  viewed  the  crop,  which  was 
remarkably  good  ;  but  had  it  been  kept  clear 
from  weeds,  the  clover  would  have  been 
much  better,  as  I  perceived  it  was  much 
crowded.' 

The  flraw  was  at  leaft  fix  feet  long,  th^ 
ears,  in  general,  about  fix  inches  long,  and 
contained,  upon  an-  average,    about  eighty 
grains  each. 

1  fpent  feveral  hours  in  counting  how  ma- 
ny ears  fpiung  from  a  root,  which  varied, 
all  the  way  from  fifteen  to  thirty.  So  that 
upon  a  medium,  i  fudged  that  each  root 
tlirough  the  acre,  taking  one  with  anothcr,^., 
produced  twenty  eais.  It 


OF    HUSBANliiRY.        :2% 

\t  was  believed  by  all. the  judges  in  corn, 
that  the  acre  would  produce  at  lead  fitty 
Wincheller  bufnels. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Sandys,  Reclor  of  Yeo\cl, 
Somerfctfliire,  fet  a  piece  of  ground  (in 
quantity  about  an  acre  and  a  half)  with, 
wheat,  grain  by  grain,  in  the  fame  manner 
as  they  dibble  beans.  It  took  a  peck  and  a 
half  of  feed ;  the  labour  coft  half  a  guinea. 
The  produce  was  eighty  bu^ieis  oF  clean 
corn  Winchefter  meafure. 

A  gentleman  in  Warwickfhirc,  fet  four 
acres  alfo,  grain  by  grain,  The  feed  it  took 
was  thr-ce  pecks  and  a  ha^f.  The  labour 
coll  feventeen  fliillings  and  fix-pence.  The 
produce  was  two  hundred  and  two  bufhels 
of  clean  corn,  Winchefler  meafure. 

A  gentleman  near  Newcaftlc-upon-Tyne, 
ietfome  naked  or  Siberian  wheat,  one  foot 
afunder  each  grain;  it  pro<:luced  about  two 
thoufand  fold. 

In  lliort,  w^ere  I  to  Infert  all  the  experi* 
ments  of  the  fort,  which  have  come  to,  my 
knowledge,  they  would  fill  a  volume  :  nei- 
ther is  there  any  neceffity  for  it,  as  every 
fenfible  man  will  admit,  that  if  any  expe- 
riment will  ftand  good  for  one  acre,  it  will 
for  any  greater  quantity  in  the  fame  fort  of 
land.. 


ni 


284         A    NEW      SYSTEM 

ne  Gardeners  Calendar,  for  WarJi  to  he  done 
round  the  Tear  in  the  Kitcben-Gardcn. 

JANUARY. 

Asparagus  forced,  to  have  a  regular 
fucceflion  of  it,  from  November  to  April, 
muft  be  planted  every  month,  and  will  be 
near  a  month  before  it  is  fit  to  cut ;  the 
fourth  hot -bed  muft  be  made. 

Beans  of  the  early  fort,  plant  the  fecond 
crop. 

Beets  and  cabbages  of  all  forts,  plant  for 
feed,  if  omitted  in  Ocf^ober. 

Carrots,  fow  the  firft  crop,  to  draw  young 
and  plant  fome  for  feed. 

Cauliflowers  examine  and  defend  from 
froft. 

Celery  cover  with  ftraw,  and  dig  up  fome 
for  ufe,  when  the  froft   firft  begins. 

Crefs,  muftard,  radilh  and  rape,  fow  eve- 
ry week  on  a  hotbed. 

Cucumbers,  if  you  choofe  them  as  early 
as  March  are  proper  to  be  fown  now,  when 
they  arc  three  or  four  days  old,  put  each 
plant  into  a  fmall  pot,  and  fow  a  little  feed 
every  week  to  have  plenty  of  plants. 

Dung  fliould  be  wheeled  in  frofty  wea- 
ther, when  other  work  cannot  be  done. 

Endive 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  2S5 

Endive,  cover  with  draw,  and  dig  up 
Ibme  for  iife  when  the  froft  fets  in. 

Ground  which  is  vacant,  fhould  be  digg- 
ed over,  and  thrown  up  into  ridges. 

Hotbeds  and  loam  muli  be  prepared  for 
aiparagus,  cucumbers,  melons  and  failading, 
•  Lettuces  fow  on  a  hotbed,  if  thofe  under 
glafles  be  killed,  and  plant  mint. 

Mufliroom-beds,  cover  well  with  dry 
flravv,  to  keep  out  both  froil  and  rain. 

Onions,  fow  on  a  warm  border  to  draw 
young. 

Peas  for  the  firft  crop,  under  the  fouth 
wall,  fhould  have  the  earth  drawn  up  to 
them  in  a  dry  day ;  and  if  fticks  be  placed 
to  them,  they  help  to  fcreen  them  from  the 
violence  of  the  wind.  Sow  the  fecondcrop. 

Plant  afparagus  for  the  fourth  crop. 

Beac-s,  the  fecond  crop  of  mazagan. 

Beets,  cabbages,  carrots,  parfnips  for  feed. 

Mint  and  potatoes  on  a  hot-bed. 

Onions,  for  eicallions  and  feed. 

Radiibes,  fow  the  fecond  crop  in  a  warrn 
lituation,  and  the  fii*il  on  a  hotbed. 

Small  failading,  as  crefs,  muftard,  rape, 
radiflies,  fow  every  week  on  a  hotbed. 

Sow  carrots  the  firft  crop,  peas  the  fe- 
cond. 

Sow  on  hotbeds,  carrots,  cucumbers  for 
the  firft  crop.  Cre/s,  muftard, -radifh,  rape 
for  fallads.  February 


zU         A     NEW     SYSTEM 

FEBRUARY. 

Asparagus  for  the  fifth  crop  on  hot- 
beds, plant  and  keep  the  mats  off'  the  lights 
in  good  weather,  to  give  it  colour  by  the 
lun  and  air. 

Beans  of  the  early  fort  for  a  third  crop 
muft  be  planted,  and  at  the  end  of  the 
month  the  firft  crop  of  the  larger  lort,  as 
Windfor,  long- podded,  &c. 

Beets  low,  but  dig  the  ground  very  deep. 

Boorcole  and  Broccoli  will  want  earthing 
up,  and  the  dead  leaves  picked  off'. 

Cabbages,  low  for  the  fecond  crop  of 
fugar-loat'  and  red,  aiid  plant  out  thofe  fown 
in  Auguft. 

Carrots,  for  a  general  crop,  fow  at  the  end 
of  the  month,  on  a  deep  fandy  foil. 

Cauliflowers  under  glalTes  will  want  exa- 
mining ;  pick  off"  all  decayed  leaves,  fflr 
up  the  earth,  and  in  mild  weather  give  them 
air,  and  plant  fome  out,  leaving  only  two 
to  each  glafs. 

Sow  the  fecond  crop  on  a  gentle  hotbed. 

Celery,  for  the  ffrff  crop,  mult  now  be 
fown  on  a  gentle  hotbed,  and  earth  drawn, 
up  to  blanch  what  is  in  the  ground. 

Coleworths  fow  the  firft  crop. 

Crcfs  and  muftard  fow  every  week  on 
hotbeds. 

Cucumber- 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         2S7 

Cucumber-beds  mud  be  conftantly  at- 
tended to,  to  keep  them  up  to  a  proper  heat 
and  another  made  for  the  plants  raifed  lallr 
month  :  when  they  have  four  or  five  rough 
leaves,  plant  them  out,  three  or  four  to 
each  light.     Then  fow  more  feed. 

Endive,  tye  up  for  blanching,  and  plantr 
fome  for  feed, 

Efchalots,  garlic  and  rocambole  fhould 
now  be  planted,  to  have  the  roots  large. 

Ground  which  is  vacant  ihould  be  digged^ 
and  thrown  up  into  ridges^  ready  for  fowing^ 

Horfe-radi(h   will    now   require   to   be 
planted. 
■  Hotbeds,  for  cucumbers,  melons^  fallad^ 
ing,  prepare  and  have  plenty  of  dung. 

Leeks  fow,  and  mark  fome  for  feed. 

Lettuces  from  under  glailes,  if  the  wea- 
thei:  be  mild,  plant  ouC  and  fow  the  fecond 
crop.   Give  plenty  of  air  to  the  forced  ones. 

Melons,  for  the  firfl:  crop,  may  be  fown. 
the  firft  week  in  the  month,  and  when  about" 
three  days  old,  plant  each  in  a  fmall  pot. 

Mint,  plant  in  pots  on  a  hotbed. 
^  Mufhroom-beds  defend  from  wet. 

Onions  for  the  gcn'eral  crop,  fow  at  the. 
«nd  of  the  month,  or  beginning  of  March, 
and  weed  the  others,  and  plant  fome  for 
feed. 

Parfiey^ 


2J?8         A    NEW     SYSTEM 

Parfley  (ow  for  edging,  and  fomc  curled 
very  thin  on  a  bed,  to  grow  large  for  gar- 
nifhing  of  difhes,  and  the  large  rooted. 

Parfneps,  fow  on  ground  digged  deep. 

Peas  out  of  the  ground  will  require  fre- 
quent earthing  as  they  advance  and  flicking. 
Sow  marrowfats,  and  other  large  forts,  and 
the  third  crop  of  hotfpurs. 

Plant  afparagus,  for  the  fifth  crop,  for 
forcing.  Beans  tor  a  third  crop,  windfor* 
the  firft.  Cauliflowers  from  under  the  glaff- 
es.  Endive  lor  blanching  and  feed.  Ef- 
chalots,  garlic  and  rocambole.  Horfe-ra- 
difh.  Lettuces  from  under  glaffes.  Leeks, 
onions  and  parfley  for  feed.  Potatoes  on 
hotbeds  and  the  tirfl  crop. 

Radifhes,  uncover  in  mild  w^eather,  and 
put  on  the  flraw  again  at  night.  Sow  the 
third  crop,  and  the  fecond  on  a  hotbed. 

Snails  fearch  for  in  the  holes  of  walls. 

Sow  beets,  cabbage,  carrots,  cauliflow- 
er*, coleworts,  fennel,  leeks,  lettuces,  muf- 
tard,  onions,  parfley,  parfneps,  peas,  ra- 
difhes, fpinach. 

Sow  on  hotbeds  cauliflowers,  cucumbers, 
melons,  muftard.  Rldilh  and  rape  for  fal- 
lads 

Spinach,  fow  the  firfl:  crop,  and  hoe  the 
winter  crop,  if  too  thick.  Water  carry  off 
if  it  flands  any  where,  by  making  drains  or 
cutting  trenches  March 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         189 

MARCH. 

^/\Lirai^ders  fovvn  in  Auguft  mull  be  hoed 
to  a  foot  afunder,  and  more  feed  fown. 

Aromatic  fhrubs  and  herbs  on  beds,  weed 
and  earth,  and  foW  and  plant  more  of  all 
lorts. 

Artichokes  muft  be  dreiled,  and  the  fuck- 
ers taken  off  for  a  frefh  plantation. 

Afparagus-feed  mufl  now  be  fown.  Plant 
out  that  fown  laft  year.  Fork  up  the  beds, 
and  rake  them  fmooth.  Water  the  beds  in 
\'ery  dry  weather  in  a  morning,  and  make 
frelh  plantations. 

Beans,  for  the  fourth  early  crop,  plant, 
and  the  fccond  of  Windfors.  Cut  off  the 
tops  of  thole  in  flower 

Beets  linifh  fowing 

Boorcole  muft  be  fown  for  the  firft  crop. 

Broccoli  fow  for  the  hrft  crop  on  a  hot- 
bed.     Cabbages,  fow  the  third  crop  of  fu- 
gar-loaf,  the  fccond  of  red,  and  the  firft  of 
lavoy 
Carets,  for  the  principal  crop  muft  be  fown 
Capficums,  for  pickling,  fow  on  a  hotbed. 
Cauliflowers  muft  be  planted  out,  leaving 
only  two   to  each  glafs  ;  draw  earth  up    to 
the  ftems,  and  prop  up  the  glaffcs 

Prick  out  thofe  fown  laft  month,  and  fow 
more  for  the  third  crop. 

Vol.  II.   -.  O  o  Celery, 


X90         A    NEW     S  Y  S  T  E  M 

Celery,  prick  out  the  tirfl  crop  from   the 
feed-bed,  and  low  the  fccond. 
Chardons  muft  be  fown,  and  cives  planted, 
Colewurths  prick  out  the  hill  crop 
Crels,   muihiid,  raciiih  and  rape  now  fow 
in  the  open  ground  lor  faliading 

Crels  and  nuiilard  fow  very  thin  for  feed. 
Cucumber- beds  keep  up'  to  a  good  heat, 
by  lining  ;   and  piant  out  tiie  lecond  crop 

About  the  twentieth   low  tor  bell  glalTes 
and  fome  Turkey-feed 

i-iOtbeds  muil   be   prepared  for  planting 
out  cucuinbeib  and  melons 

Jerulalem  artichokes  plant.  Leeks  fow. 
Kidney- beans  fow  at  the  end  of  the  month 
Lettuces  plant  out  under  frames   and   fow 
the  third  crop  of  cos,  or  any  other. 

Melons  plant  out  from  the  firll  hotbed — 
Sow  cantaleupes   lor  the   fec('nd  crop,  and 
£ome  on  a  tan-bed,  and  for  bcUglalfes 
,  JViint-beds  weed,  and  plant  moie 
iv;ulhroom-beds  make  for  fummer  ufe 
Nallurriums  for  pickling,   now  low 
Onion  beds  ihould  be  carciully  weeded  ; 
the  general  crop  hnilhed  lowing 

Parlley,  both  curled  and  large-rooted  fovr 
Parfneps  lliould  be  finilhed  lowing. 
Peas  earth,  and.llickany  which  want,  and 
fow  the  fecond  crop  of  marrowfats 

Pot  and  ivvect  herbs  ihould  now  be  fown. 

Slip 


OF     HUSBANDRY. 


291 


Slip  pot-marjorum  and  thyme 

Plant  artichokes,  alparagus,  beans,  cu- 
cumbers, feruf.  artic.  lettuces,  melons,  po- 
tatoes, taiTagon,  and  aromatic  herbs  and 
ihrubs,  as  balm,  camomile,  lavender.  Sec 

Potatoes,  plant  the  principal  crop. 
Radifhes,  fovv  the  fourth  crop,  Scrampions 
-^ — faifafy,  icorzonera,  Ikirrets  and  forrel  fow 

Sow  alifanders,  angelica,  afparag^s,  baiil, 
beets,  borage,  boorcole,  broccoli,  bnrnet, 
cabbages,  capficums,  carrots,  cauliflowers, 
celery,  celeriac,  chardons,  chervil,  clary, 
corianders,  ere  is,  cucumbers,  dill,  fennel, 
hyfop,  kidney  -beans,  leeks,  lettuces,  marjo- 
ramj  marygolds,  melons,  mudard,  naftur- 
tiu'iis,  onions,  parflcy,  parfneps  peas,  pur- 
flane,  radilhes,  rampions,  fallafy,  favory, 
fcorzonera,  ikuTets,fea-kale,  forrel,  Ipmach, 
tarragon,  thyme,  tomatoes,  turneps,  water- 
•crelfee. 

Weeds  fhould  be  dedroyed  when  youngo 


Aprl 


592        A    NEW    SYSTEM 

APRIL 

J\Vn\  being  the  latefl  time  for  fovving  the 
principal  crop  of  the  kitchen-garden,  it  any 
thing  diredcd  lall:  month  were  omitted,  per- 
form it  early  in  this 
Aromatic  herbs  and  ilirubs  fow  and  plant. 
Afparagus  iTiould  be  finilhed  early  in  the 
month, ^oth  Towing  and  planting,  and  the 
beds  forking  and  raking  :  ii'  it  be  very  dry, 
water  the  bed  in  the  morning. 

Beans  in  flower  murt  have  their  tops  cut 
ofl,  and  draw  the  flalks  of  the  lirft:  crop  ciofe 
to  the  wall  by  fbings,  and  earth  them  up 
Plant  the  tirft  crop  of  windfors 
Boorcole   and  broccoli  prick  out  the  firft 
crop,  and  fow  the  fecond. 

Cabbages,  tye  up  the  leaves  of  the  early 
fort  to  forward  their  cabbaging — prick  out 
the  third  crop  of  fugar-loaf,  the  fecond  ot* 
red,  and  the  ih-ll  of  favoys 

Capficums  mud  be  pricked  out  from  the 
feed-bed,  before  they  are  too  crowded 

Carrots,  weed  and  thin  the  firfl  crop,  and 
fow"  the  fecond  to  draw  young 

Cauliflowers  muft  have  the  earth  drawn 
lip  very  high  to  raife  the  glafles,  and  at  the 
end, of  the  month  take  them  away — break 
down  the  lea\  es  when  any  begin  to  flower ; 
earth  the  fecond  crop,  and  prick  out  the 
third  crop  Celery 


OF  ^HUSB  ANDRY.         293 

Celery,  prick  out  the  fecond,  fow  the  third 
■ — crefs  and  muftard  fow  every  week 

Cucumber-beds  muil  be  lined  with  frefh 
dung,  if  wanted  and  give  them  plenty  of  air 
— make  a  gentle  hotbed  within  the  ground, 
for  thofe  that  are  to  be  under  bellglaffes,  and 
plant  them  on  it  at  the  end  of  the  month — 
fow  more  feed  to  haveplentyof  plants 

Endive  for  feed  fhould  have  the  earth  fre- 
quently ftirred  about  it.    Sow  the  firft  crop. 

Finochio  fow  in  drills  a  foot  afunder,  firft 
crop 

Hotbeds  for  fowing  of  melons  for  bell- 
glaifes  mull  be  prepared. 

Kidney-beans  fow  the  fecond.  crop,  and 
the  firli  crop  of  fcarlet-flowered 

Lettuces  fhould  be  tied  to  aiiift  their  ca- 
baging  j  thofe  in  beds  thinned  to  a  foot  dif- 
tance,  others  planted  out  and  the  fourth 
crop  very  thin 

Melon -beds  muft  be  kept  up  to  a  good 
heat  and  the  fecond  and  third  crop  planted 
uut 

Mufliroom-beds  mull  be  ftni(hed  making 

Onions  fow  to  draw  young 

Parfley  hoe  and  fow  the  large-rooted. 

Peas  muil  be  frequently  earthed,  be  ituck 
as  foon  as  the  tendrils  appear 

Sow  the  third  crop  of  marrowfats. 

Plant  afparagus,  beans,  lettuces,  mufh- 
rooms,  pot-herbs,  potatoes  Plant 


29+         A     NEW     SYSTEM 

Plant  on  frelli  hot-beds,  cucumbers  and 
melons 

Potatoes  muft  be  finifhed  planting 

Pot  and  fvveet  herbs  m.iy  iliil  be  Town  ard 
planted  and  weed  and  earth  the  beds 

Prick  out  from  the  feed-beds  boorcolr, 
broccoli,  cabbages,  capficums,  cauiiilovvers 
and  celery 

Purllane  (ovv  on  a  warm  border 

Radifhes  fovv  in  a  cool  place  for  the  fifth 
crop 

Rofemary,  rue,  fage,  favory  and  thyme 
may  be  Hipped  and   lail  year's  planted  out. 

Snails  and  Hugs  fhould  be  fearched  for 

Sow  aromatic  herbs  and  fhrubs — Alpara- 
t^us.boorcole,  broccoli,  carrots,  celery,  crefs 
endive,  finochio,  kidney-beans,  lettuces, 
niuftard,  onions,  peas,  ppt-herbs,  purllane 
radillies,  fpinach,  fweet-herbs  and  turncps. 
,     i>o\v  on  a  hot-bed  cucumbers  and  melons 

Spinach  low  the  third  crop  m  a  cool 
place 

Turneps  hoe  the  firfl  crop  and  few  the 
fecond 

Weed  all  beds  of  feedlings,  while  the 
weeds  are  fmali  and  any  other  crops  alio 


May 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  2()^ 

MA        Y 

/\  Romatic  fhrubs  and   herbs  may  ftill  be 
fown  and  planted 

Art'chokes  (hould  have  the  young  fhoots 
pulled  off,   not  to  rob  the  principal  one 

Afiparagus  beds  Ihould  be  confluntly 
weeded 

Beans  will  frequently  require  earthing, 
and  cut  off  the  tops  as  they  co-ne  in  flower. 

Boorcole,  prick  out  the  fecond  crop. 

Broccoli,  prick  out  the  fecond,  fow  the 
third  crop 

Cabbages  fhould  be  often  hoed  and  earth- 
ed Plant  the  fecond  crop,  and  the  tirft  of 
red — fo  V  the ^fourxh  crop,  and  the  fecond 
of  favoys. 

C'abbage-turnep  and  turnep-rooted  cab-, 
bage,  American  and  white  Scotch  cabbage, 
and  Anjou  boorcole,  muft  now   be  fown ; 
and  as  they   are   chiefly  intended  for  cattle, 
and  are  required  to  grow  large,  fow  the  ieed' 
very  thin. 

Caterpillars  will  now  be  found  In  the  web. 

Capiicums  piant  out  where  thev  are  to 
fiower,   and  tomatoes,  in  rich  ground. 

Carrots  ihould  be  weeded  before  the  weeds 
over-top  them,  and  thined  by  hoeing 

Cauliflowers,   for  the  Oetober  crop,    now 
i5)W,  plant  out  the  lecond  crop. 

Gclery, 


iq6         a     new    system 

Celery,  prick  out  the  third  crop,  foW  the 
fourth. 

Colcworths,  plant  out  the  firfl  crop. 

Crefs  and  muilard  fow  every  week,  and 
hoc  that  which  is  fown  for  feed. 

Cucumbers  of  the  fourth  crop  may  be 
planted  out,  and  let  fome  be  againft  walls, 
both  for  feed  and  their  fuperior  flavour. 

Sow  now  in  the  open  ground.  If  attack- 
ed by  black  flies  fumigate  them  with  to- 
bacco fmoak. 

Endive  thin  the  firJl:  crop  and  fow  the  fe- 
cond. 

Efchalots,  garlic  and  rocambole,  may 
have  a  few  roots  taken  up  for  prefent  ufe. 

Finochiofow  for  the  fecond  crop. 

Hoe  the  beds  of  beets,  carrots,  leeks,  oni- 
ons, pariley,  parfneps,  &cc. 

Kidney-beans,  fow  the  third  crop  of 
dwarfs,  and  the  fecond  of  runners. 

Lettuces  in  beds  thin,  and  fow  the  fifth 
crop. 

Melons  on  the  tan-bed  muft  be  thinned. 
' — Sow  feed  for  an  autumn  crop  :  prick  out 
each  into  a  fmall  pot,  when  the  rough  leaf 
appears. 

Melons  attacked  with  fpiders  muft  be  fu- 
migated with  tobacco  fmoak. 

Nafturitums  thin  to  a  foot  afunder. 

Onions  will  require  weeding  and  hoeing, 

Thofe 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         297 

Thofe  planted  for  feed  will  want  fupport  by 
ftakes  and  ftrings.   Sow  feed  to  draw  young. 

Peas,  fow  the  fourth  marrowfats  in  a  cool 
place.     Plant  cabbages,  coleworts,  cucum- 
bers, capficums,  cauliflowers,  lettuces,  ra- 
difhes,  fage. 
Potatoes  hoe,  before  the  plants  appear. 

Pot-herbs  and  fweet-herbs  in  beds,  mujfl 
be  frequently  weeded,  particularly  feedlings. 

Prick  out  from  the  feed-beds,  boorcole, 
broccoli,  cabbages,  melons. 

Radifhes  for  feed  muft  now  be  planted. 
— fow  the  fixth  crop  in  a  cool  place. 

Sow  broccoli,  cabbages,  cab.  turnep,  cau- 
liflowers, celery,  crefs,  cucumbers,  endive, 
iiniochio,  kidney  beans,  lettuces,  melons, 
onions,  peas,  purflane,  radifhes,  fpinach, 
turneps. 

Seed  of  all  forts,  nearly  ripe,  will  often 
require  flacking  and  defending  from  birds. 

Turneps,  fow  the  third  crop,  and  hoe 
the  others. 

Water  often,  in  dry  weather,  beds  of 
feedlings. 

Weeds  of  no  fort  mufl:  be  liiffered  to  feed. 

Weed,  before  the  weeds  are  as  high  as 
the  crops,  the  feed-beds  and  crops  of  car- 
rots, endive,  finochio,  leeks,  lettuces,  oni- 
ons, pot-herbs,  fpinach,  turneps. 

Vol.  II.  X  p  June 


29^  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

JUNE 

J\  Romatic  herbs,  for  diying  and  diililling 
gather 

Beans  want  earthing  and  cutting  oflf  the 
tops.  Beets  ihould  be  thinned  to  a  proper 
diiiancc.  Boorcole,  plant  the  firft  crop,  and 
fow  the  third.  Broccoli,  plant  the  firl^  crop 
prick  out  the  third,  and  ibw  the  fourth. 

Cabbages,  plant  the  third  crop,  prick 
out  the  lourth,  and  fow  the  fifth.  Plant 
the  fecond  crop  ot  red  cabbage,  and  fow 
the  third.  Savoys,  plant  the  tirll  crop,  and 
prick  out  the  fecond,  and  fow  the  third. 

Cabbage-turneps,  fow  the  fecond  crop. 

Canots  and  pai fneps  tinilh  hoeing. 

Cauliflowers,  plant  the  third  crop  ;  prick 
out  the  fourth. 

Celery,  plant  the  firft  crop,  prick  out 
the  fourth,  and  low  the  lifth. 

Colefeed  and  rape  may  now  be  fown. 

i'olc worts,  fow  the  fecond  crop. 
Endive,  plant  out  the  firll  crop,  thin  the 
fecond,  and  fow  the  third,  and  third  crop 
of  finochio. 

Hoe  and  thin  all  the  crops  of  carrots, 
Sec.  properly,  before  the  weeds  are  high. 

kidney-beans,  fow  the  fourth  crop,  and 
place  flicks  to  the  runners. 

Lavender 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         299 

Lav.endcr,  rofemaiy,  rue,  and  fagc  cut- 
tings, may  now  be  phmted  in  the  ibade. 

Leeks  ihould  be  hoed  and  thinned. 
Lettuces,  low  the  lixth  crop  in  a  cool  place; 
Melons   in  frames,   cover  with  mats  in  the 
heat  of  the  day,  and  lay  tiles  under  the  fruit 
— plant  out  thofe  for  the  oiled  papers. 

Onions  muft  be  thinned,  to  five  or  fix  in- 
ches, and  leave  a  few  at  three. 

Parfley  in  beds  for  garnifh,  and  the  large- 
rooted,  thin  to  fix  inches  diftance. 

Peas,  low  the  lail  marrowfats  in  a  cool 
place.  Plant  boorcole,  broccoli,  cabbages, 
cauliflower,  celery,  endive,  lavender,  let- 
tuces, rofcmary,  rue,  fage. 

Prick  out  broccoli,  cabbages,  cauliflow- 
ers, celery. 

Radiihes,  fow  the  feventh  crop,  and  tur- 
nep-rooted  and  black  Spanifh  in  a  cool  place 

Rape  and  cole-feed  may  now  be  fown. 

Seeds,   as  they  ripen,   muft  be  gathered. 

Sow  boorcole,  cabbages,  celery,  colcfeed, 
coleworts,  endive,  finochio,  kidney -beans^ 
lettuces,  peas,  radifhes,  rape,  fpinach,  tui*- 
neps,  turnep-radifh. 

Spinach,  fow  the  fifth  crop  thin,  in  a  cool 
place. 

Turneps,  fow  the  fourth  crop,  and  hoc 
others. 

Water  all  beds  of  feedlings  frequently. 

July 


300        A    NEW      SYSTEM 

JULY 

J\  Romatic  herbs  for  drying  and  diRilling 
muft  be  conftantly  gathered. 

Afparagus,  for  a  crop  in  autumn,  muft 
be  cut  down,  the  beds  lightly  forked  and 
raked,  and  watered  every  night  for  a  week 
after,  if  dry  weather.     Weed  the  (eed-beds. 

Beans,  plant  the  fifth  crop  of  mazagan, 
and  the  fourth  of  Windlors,  for  late  crops. 

Boorcole,  plant  the  fecond  crop,  prick 
out  the  third,  and  the  fitrfl  of  Anjou. 

Broccoli,  plant  out  the  third  crop,  and 
prick  out  the  fourth. 

Cabbages,  plant  the  fourth  crop,  and 
prick  out  the  hfth.  Red  cabbage,  prick  out 
the  third  crop.  Savoys,  plant  the  fecond, 
and  prick  out  the  third  crop. 

Cabbage- turneps,  prick  out  the  firft  crop. 
Carrots,  to  draw  young,  fow  the  third  crop 
Cauliflov/ers,  plant  out  the  fourth  crop. 
Celery,  plant  the  fecond  crop,  and  prick 
out  the  fifth. 

'    Colefeed,  rape  and  coleworts,  finifh  fow- 
ing  :  prick  out  the  fecond  crop  of  colcworts 

Cucumbers  in  open  ground  fhould  be 
fhick  with  branches  of  rticks.' 

Efchalots  and  garlic  may  be  taken  up,  if 
the  ftalks  be  (juite  withered. 

Fipochio,  fow  the  fourth  crop. 

Kidney- 


OF    HUSBANDRY.        301 

Kidney-beans,  fow  on  a  fouth  border  the 
lifth  and  laft  crop. 

Lavender  and  rofemary  cuttings  flill  plant 

Leeks  plant  out  in  double  rows. 

Lettuces,  fow  the  leventh  crop  in  a  cool 
place. 

Onions  when  their  leaves  wither,  pull  out 
of  the  ground,  and  fow  the  firft  crop  of 
Welfh,  and  laft  crop  to  draw  young. 

Peas  fown  laft  month  will  want  fticking, 
and  fow  the  fourth  crop  of  hotfpurs. 

Plant  beans,  boorcole,  cabbages,  cauli- 
flowers, celery,  lavender,  leeks,  lettuces, 
red  cabbage,  rofemary,  favoys. 

Prick  out  boorcole,  broccoli,  cabbages, 
celery,  coleworts. 

Radifhes,  fow  the  eighth,  alfo  turnep- 
rooted  and  black  Spanifh,  and  hoe  the  firft 
crop 

Sow  carrots,  colefeed,  coleworths,  endive, 
finochio,  kidney-beans,  lettuces,  onions, 
parfley,  peas,  radifhes,  fpinach,  rape,  tur- 
neps,  turnep-radifhes. 

Spinach,  fow  the  fixth  crop,  and  the  firft 
of  prickly  thin,  in  a  cool  place. 

Turneps,  fow  the  fifth  and  principal  crop 
for  winter  ufe,  and  hoe  the  other  crops. 

Water  beds  of  fcedlings,  and  all  young 
crops. 

Auguft 


102         A    NEW     SYSTEM 


AUGUST., 

LIfanders,    angelica,    chervil,  fennel, 
forrel,  are  now  to  be  fown. 
Beans  fown  laft  month,  will  want  water- 


A 


mg. 


Boorcole,  broccoli,  cabbages,  cauliflowers 
and  coleworts,  lately  planted,  will  require 
hoeing  around  them,  and  earth  drawn  up 
to  their  flems. 

Broccoli,  plant  out  the  third  crop. 

Cabbages,  for  the  firft  crop  at  fpring, 
muft  be  fown  about  the  tenth  day  of  the 
month. 

Cabbage-turneps  prick  out  the  fecond 
crop. 

Cauliflowers  for  the  firft  fpring  crop,  fow 
about  the  twentieth,  and  (hade  them  in  the 
middle  of  the  day  by  mats. 

Celery,  earth  the  firft  crop  for  blanching, 
and  plant  out  the  third. 

Coieworts,  plant  out  lome  of  the  fecond 
crop. 

Crefs  and  muftard  feed  muft  be  gathered 
if  ripe,  and  fow  every  week  for  fallads. 

'Cucumbers  for  pickling,   fhould  now  be 
gathered,  and  they  will  be  free  from  fpots. 

Endive,  frequently  tie  up  for  blanching  ; 
plant  out  the  third  crop,  and  thin  the  fourth. 

Efchalots,  garlic  and  rocambole,  may  be 
taken  up  it  the  ftallcs  be  quite  withered. 

Leeks 


OF     HUSBANDRY.        303 

Leeks  fini(h  planting  out. 

Lettuces,  for  Handing  through  the  winter 
and  forcing,  muft  now  be  fown  very  thin  at 
three  different  times.  Plant  out  the  laft 
fown  on  a  fouth  border. 

Melons  in  rainy  weather  mull  be  defend- 
ed from  wet,  by  putting  hand-glaffes  over 
them ;  and  place  fticks  for  the  pickling  me- 
lons to  run  up. 

Onions  muft  be  frequently  turned,  that 
they  may  be  well  dried. 

Sow  the  fecond  crop  of  Welfh. 

Peas,  fow  fome  hotfpurs  on  a  fouth  bor- 
der for  the  fifth  and  laft  crop. 

Plant  celery,   endive,  leeks,  lettuces. 

Prick  out  Anjou  boorcole,  cabbage-tur- 
neps. 

Radifties,  fow  the  ninth  and  laft  crop. 

Seeds  nearly  ripe  muft  be  guarded  from 
birds, — Sow  alifanders,  angelica,  cabbages, 
cauliflowers,  chervil,  crefs,  fennel,  lettuces, 
muftard,  onions,  peas,  radiflies,  forrel, 
fpinach,  turneps 

Spinach,  fow  the  fecond  crop  of  prickly. 

Turneps  hoe,  and  low  the  fixth  crop. 

Water  feedling  beds  in  a  morning. 

Weeds  begin  to  grow  very  faft  in  moift- 
weather,  therefore  muft  be  hoed  frequently. 

September. 


364         A      NEW    SYSTEM 

SEPTEMBER 

^^Romatic  herbs  and  fhrubs,  cut  down 
their  decayed  ftalks  to  ftrengthen  the  roots 
and  tranfplant  them. 

Beans  planted  in  July  mull  be  earthed  up, 
and  the  tops  pinched  when  in  flower. 

Boorcole,  plant  out  the  third  crop 

Broccoli,  plant  out  part  of  the  fourth  crop 

Cabbages,  plant  out  the  fifth  crop,  and 
prick  out 'the  firft  crop  on  a  fouth  border, 
and  earth  out  any  which  want — plant  out 
third  crop  of  favoysand  red  cabbages. 

Cabbage-turneps,  plant  out  the  iirft  crop 

Carrots  fown  in  July  mull  be  hoed. 

Cauliflowers  fown  laft  month  muft  be 
pricked  out,  watered  and  fhaded  till  rooted 
— earth  up  the  fourth  crop,  and  break  the 
leaves  if  they  begin  to  flower. 

Celery,  plant  out  the  fourth  crop  and 
earth  up  the  firft  and  fecondto  blanch. 

Chardons  will  require  blanching 

Coleworts,  plant  out  more  of  the  fecond 
crop,  a  few  at  a  time,  to  thin  the  bed. 

Crefs  and  muftard  fow  every  week. 

Cucumbers  for  pickling  fhould  be  flnilh- 
«d  gathering 

Endive,  plant  out  a  little  of  the  fourth 
crop  to  thin  it,  and  give  the  reft  more  room 
— tye  up  forac  to  blanch 

Efchalots 


OF    HUSBANDRY,        50^ 

Efchalots,  garlic  and  rocambole,  fhould 
have  all  the  offsets  or  fmall  roots  planted. 

Lettuces  mull  be  early  thinned  m  the  feed- 
bed,  if  fown  thick,  and  pricked  out  on  2 
fouth  border,  to  about  four  or  five  inches. 

Melons  for  pickhng  will  be  fit  to  gather. 

Mufhroom-becis  muft  now  be  made. 

Onions,  finilh  lowing  early  in  the  month 
the  Wellh  onions,  and  weed  thofc  fown  laft 
month,  before  the  weeds  are  high. 

Plant  boorcole,  broccoli,  cabbages,  cole- 
worts,  endive,  elchalots,  garlic,  rocambole, 
tarragon.— Prick  out  cabbages,  cauliflowers, 
lettuces, — £ow  crefs,  Ipinach,  muftard,  tur- 
aeps. 

Spinach^  finifh  fowing  for  fpring  ufe,  and 
hoe  that  fown  lalt  month. 

Tarragon-roots  may  now  be  planted 

Turncps,  turnep-radilhes,  and  black- 
Spanilh,   will  all  require  hoeing. 

Weeds  muft  be  particularly  attended  to 
among  the  onions  and  other  crops. 


Vol,  n.  Ctq  Qaober 


:jo6      a   new   system 

OCTOBER 

J\S  0<?kober  is  the  only  time  to  crop  a 
garden  before  winter,  omit  not  any  thing 
till  next  month. 

Aromatic  herbs  and  fhrubs  in  beds  weed, 
and  fpread  fomc  earth  over  them. 

Afparagus  ftalks  cut  down,  hoe  the  weeds 
and  fpread  earth  Irom  the  earth  on  them — 
hotbeds  prepare  for  forcing,  and  plant  three- 
year  old  plants  for  the  firfl;  crop 

Beans,  the  early  mazagan  muft  be  plant- 
'Cd  on  a  fouth  border 

Boorcoie  plant  out  the  fecond  crop,  and 
hoe  the  ground  about  the  others 

Broccoli,  plant  out  the  reft  for  the  fourth 
crop 

Cabbages,  fown  in  Auguft  plant  half  out 
in  a  warm  lituation 

Cabbagc-turneps,  plant  early  in  the  month 
and  earth  up  the  others 

Carrots  fown  in  July,  finifh  hoeing. 

Celery,  plant  out  the  fifth  and  laft  crop,, 
and  earth  up  the  fecond  to  blanch 

Coleworts,  finilh  planting. 

Crefs  and  muftard  fowon  a  hotbed 

Endive,  tie  up  to  blanch,  and  plant  more- 

Elchalots,  garlic  and  rocambole  plant. 

Ground  which,  is  vacant,  throw  up  in- 
ridges 

Hoe 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         307 

Hoe  boorcole,  brorcoli,  cabbages,  cab- 
Ijage-turneps,  and  draw  up  the  earth  to  their 
^ems 

Hoe  carro^s  and  fpinach 

Hotbeds  prepare  ior  forcing  afnaragus 

Lettuces,  plant  out  cabbage  and  brown 
Dutch  on  afparagus  beds 

Mint,  plant  in  pots  on  a  hotbed,, 

Mulhroom-beds  cover  well  with  ftraw 
"and  mats,  to  defend  them  from  rain. 

Onions  mtSft  be  well  weeded 

Peas,  the  early  hotfpurs,  fow  on  a  fouth 
border,  for  a  fird  crop. 

Plant  afparagus  on  a  hotbed  for  the  firll 
crop,  and  beans,  boorcole,  broccoli,  cab- 
bages, cabbagc-turneps,  cauliflowers,  celery^ 
coleworts,  endive,  efchalots,  garlic,  lettuces, 
mint,  rocambole. 

Plant  out  to  ftand  for  leed,  beets,  parfley 
cabbages,  parfneps,  carrots,  turneps. 

Pot-herbs  and  fweet-herbs  on  beds,  weed, 
0ir  up  the  earth,  and  Ipread  fome  uver 
them 

Seeds  of  all  forts  fhould  be  trellied  out, 
dried  and  put  into  bags.- 

Sow  crefs  and  muflard  on  hotbeds. 

Hoe  fpinach  for  the  laft  time  before  win- 
ter, and  fow  peas  on  a  fouth  border. 


November 


3o8  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

N     O     V    E    M    B     E    Pc. 

j^\NY  thing  omitted  laft  month,  perlbrn* 
early  in  this,  before  the  rain  prevents  you. 

Artichoke  llalks  cut  down,  and  earth  them 

up. — Afparagus  on  hotbeds  muft  have  air 

given  it,  and  make  and  plant  the  fecond  bed. 

Beets,  cabbages  and  carrots,  plant  tor  feed. 

Cauliflowers  under  glalTes  and  frames, 
give  fome  air  to  in  the  middle  of  fine  days. 

Celery  earth  up  when  dry,  to  blanch. 

Crefs  and  muftard  low  on  hotbeds. 

Endive  not  planted  out,  take  up,  and  plant 
on  the  fouth  Ade  of  a  ridge. 

Ground  which  is  vacant,  threw  up  int* 
ridge*. 

Hotbeds  prepare  for  forcing  of  afparagus. 

Mufhroom-beds  guard  from  wet. 

Peas  and  beans  above  ground,  draw  earth 
up  to,  and  place  traps  to  catch  mice. 

Radifhes,  early  fhort-topped,  fow  about 
the  tenth,  and  i'pread  llraw  over  the  beds. 

Roots  of  beets,  parfley,  falfafy,  carrots, 
potatoes,  fcorzonera,  parfheps,  Ikirrets, 
turnep-radilbes  take  up  to  preferve  in  land. 

Sow  crefs,  mullard,  radilh  and  rape  on 
hotbeds  for  fmall  fallading. 

Spinach  lioe,  it  it  be  too  thick. 

Weed  all  the  crops  and  rake  off  the  weeds 
to  prevent  their  rooting  again. 

Dcgcmber 


OF    HUSBANDRY.        30$^ 

DECEMBER. 

A  SPARAGUS  muft  be  planted  for  the 
-*^  third  crop,  and  give  it  both  light  and 
air  to  colour  it. 

Boorcole,    broccoli    and  cabbages,  muft 
be  well  earthed  up  to  keep  them  upright. 

Cauliflower-plants  muft  have  air,  when 
the  weather  is  mild,  &cpick  off  dead  leaves. 

Celery,  when  dry,  earth  for  blanching. 

Crefs,  muftard,  radifh  and  rape,  fow  oa 
hotbeds  every  week. 

Dunghilis,  weed  and  turn  in  frofty  wea- 
ther. 

Endive,  tye  up  for  blanching. 

Hotbeds  muft  be  attended  to,  and  plenty 
^qf  hot  dung  and  loam  provided. 

Lettuces  under  glalfes  muft  have  air  given 
them  in  the  middle  of  mild  days. 

Mufhroom-beds  muft  have   dry  ftraw  if 
wanted. 

Peas  and  beans  above  ground,  earth  up. 

Roots    for   preferv^ing  in  fand  fhould  be 
fined,  before  the  froft  lets  in. 

Snails,  fearch  for  in  holes. 

Sow  crefs,   muftard,   Sec.  every  week. 

Tools,    repair,    grind  and  put  in  order 
while  you  have  leifure. 

Traps  muft  be  let  to  catch  mice. 

CHAP, 


TO         A    NEW    SYSTEM 


CHAP.    LIX. 


Preface  to  the  Apfendix* 

THE  following  obfcrvations  by  the  au- 
thor while  on  his  travels,  may  fcem 
fuperfluous  and  unnecefTary  to  an  American 
reader,  being  made  in  foreign  countries ; 
for  fay  they,  the  land  and  climate  of  thefe 
countries  are  different  from  ours,  therefore 
how  can  this  information  be  proper  for  us 
to  go  by. 

Thofe  obfcrvations  have  been  often  made 
to  the  author  by  men  in  all  countries  ;  {q 
confined  are  the  ideas  of  human  nature  till 
enlarged  by  experience  or  philofophical  re- 
fearches  iato  the  works  of  nature. 

It  is  a  matter  of  wonder  to  me  what  fome 
farmers  think  the  earth  of  other  countries 
or  kingdoms  is  made  up  of,  when  they  ar- 
gue that  the  management  of  lands  in  the 
forementioned  countries  will  not  do  for 
theirs  ;  that  they  muil  certainly  know  beft 
what  fuits  their  lands,  who  have  lived  there  - 
on  all  their  life-time.  Sec. 

I  fuppofe  fuch  reafoners  think  that  the 
earth  in  countries  they  have    not    fcen,  is 

made 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         ^ir 

made  up  of  fome  very  extraordinary  mate- 
rials; that  if  it  produces  fuch  and  fuch  crops 
the  foil  cannot  be  Uke  theirs. 

But  they  may  be  allured  that  the  whole 
world  is  made  up  of  the  fame  materials  of 
fand,  loam,  clay,  ftone,  gravel,  8cc.  that 
clay  will  be  clay,  and  fand,  fand,  in  all  coun- 
tries ;  that  the  grain  proper  for  each  fort  in 
one  country,  will  alfo  enfure  fuccefs  in  ano- 
riier ;  and  that  if  by  induftry,  ingenuity  or 
chance,  a  feed  or  any  improvement  be  found 
out  in  one  country,  it  may  be  transplanted 

or  propagated  in  another  with  fuccefs. ■ 

And  the  untravelled  farmer  may  be  far- 
ther alTured,  that  the  interior  parts  of  each, 
country  is  thus  variegated. 

1  have  travelled  over  mofl  parts  of  Ame- 
rica, and  muft  own  I  am  amazed  at  the 
backwardnefs  of  their  improvements,  parti- 
cularly when  I  confider  the  number  of  emi- 
grants that  have  arrived  from  England  and 
other  countries,  who  fhould  have  intro- 
duced thofe  pracHiifed  in  their  countries. 

Indian  corn  and  tobacco  are  the  chief 
productions  of  the  American  farms,  and  I 
believe  the  former  to  be  the  principal  bar  ta 
a  general  improvement  in  other  crops.  It 
is  true  wheat,  rye,  barley  and  oats  are  raifed 
in  America;  but  the  produce  is  fo  fmall  that 
ilfcarcely  pa^^s  the  expencfei  indeed  it  would 

nat 


3IE         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

not  pay  half  the  expence  and  land  rent, 
were  it  as  high  as  in  England.  The  grain  is 
exceedingly  fmall,  which  arifes  from  bad 
management  moftly  in  ploughing  the  ground 
too  thin  or  (hallow,  and  fowing  their  corn 
too  thick,  which  produces  fmall  ftraw,  fmall 
cars  and  fmall  grain,  which  never  will  fill 
the  buihel  to  fatistad:ion 

I  have  faid  fo  much  to  fhew  the  Ameri- 
can farmer  how  necelTary  it  is  to  be  acquaint- 
ed with  other  countries  and  their  manage- 
ment, in  order  that  he  may  improve  in  a 
fhort  time  upon  experiment,  that  has  cofl 
many  people  much  labour  and  expence. — 
For  man  is  not  Iik€  a  brute  to  feed  by  in- 
ftin^l,  he  acquires  his  feedin^^  and  cloathing 
by  knowledge  and  ingenuity  to  make  his  life 
comfortable  and  eafy,  and  in  order  -that  my 
American  readers  n^ay  have  an  idea  of 
what  is  pafling  in  Europe  I  have  given  in  the 
following  pages  a  fhort  Iketch  of  my  travels 
and  obfervations  through  iome  parts  there- 
of. 


GHAP; 


OF    HUSBANDRY,         313 


CHAP.     LX. 


Nature  of  the  Soil,  and  Price  of  the  Land, 

with  many  other  inter ejling  Subje^s,  necef- 

fary  for  a  Farmer  to  know  through  Ireland, 


I  Thought  it  might  not  be  difagreeable  to 
my  reader  to  give  Jhim  an  idea  of  the  dif- 
ferent forts  of  land,  rent,  manure,  manage- 
ment, Sec.  in  different  parts  of  Ireland, 
which  by  comparing  one  part  v/ith  another, 
may  both  be  ufeful  and  amufing  to  him.  I 
{hall  begin  in  Dublin,  as  my  memorandum - 
book  takes  its  rife  from  thence. 

From  Dublin  to  Drogheda,  in  Fingal, 
near  the  fea  fide,  the  land  is  a  ftrong  clay 
foil,  confequently  good  wheat  land,  and  in 
general  as  clear  from  fmut  as  mofl  countries 
w^hich  I  impute  to  the  farmers  'tilling  better 
than  in  fome  other  places,  and  alfo  manur* 
ing  with  fhort  rotten  Dublin  dung  and  lime; 
but  notwithftanding,  I  have  feen  a  very 
fmutty  piece  of  wheat  within  iis^  miles  of 
Dublin. 

Vol.il.  Rr  Lana 


314         A     NEWT    SYSTEM 

Land  lets  at  about  eighteen  (hillings  an 
Irifh  acre,  at  feven  yards  to  the  perch. 

The  land  in  this  country  is  very  rich  corn 
foil;  and  let  in  a  general  way  for  about 
twenty-one  Ihillings  an  Irifh  acre. 

From  Trim  to  Longford  and  Mullingar, 
their  is  a  great  deal  of  fmutty  wheat ;  and 
that  as  well  as  other  green  corn  is  damaged 
by  red  worms.  The  land  is  good  ftrong 
deep  wheat  foil,  and  lets  for  about  twent}'- 
three  Ihillings  an  Irilh  acre. 

From  Mullingar  to  Ballymahan,  and 
Lanelborough,  the  land  is  not  fo  good,  and 
lets  only  for  about  fifteen  fhillings  an  Irilk 
acre. 

From  Lanefbo  rough  to  Ro  fc  o  m  mo  n, 
Elphin,  Boyle,  Caftlerea,  Ballinalloe,  and 
Loughrea,  the  land  is  very  good,  lets  in  a 
general  way,  for  about  tv^enty-five  ihillings 
or  twenty-iix  fhillings  an  Irilh  acre.  It  is  a 
deep  loamy  Ibil;  at  about  three  feet  deep  is 
a  rich  limellone  gravel,  which  they  raiie, 
and  lay  on  as  manure. 

They  make  litrle  dung,  as  they  feldom 
houfe  their  cattle.  This  country  may  be  a 
circumference  of  hundred  miles,  and  I  be- 
lieve, there  is  not  a  fpot  in  our  king's  domi- 
nions, of  the  iize,  which  is  clearer  from 
black  or  fmutty  wheat  and  red  worms,  than 
this;  which  may  perhaps  he  owing  to  their 

making. 


OF     HUSBANDRY.         315 

making  little  ufe  of  dung,  as  it  cannot  be  by 
good  tillage,  they  being  great  ilovens  in  hul- 
bandry,  except  a  few  gentlemen  here  and 
there ;  indeed  their  land  is  fo  good,  that  it 
makes  them  idle,  for  turn  it  up  in  any 
falhion,  corn  muft  grow- 
In  the  Queen's  county,  about  Portarling- 
•ton,  Tullamore,  Muntrath,  and  Marybo- 
rough, the  land  is,  a  light  corn  foil,  of  an 
inferior  value,  lets  for  about  twelve  fhillings 
an  Irifh  acre. 

In  the  county  of  Kildare,  about  Kildare, 
Naas,  Newbridge,  and  Killculling,  the  land 
is  light  and  fandy  in  a  general  way,  and  kept 
much  in  tillage,  lets  at  about  fourteen  fhil- 
lings an  acre.  In  this  country  they  till  pret- 
ty well. 

The  county  of  Carlow,  the  land  is  fome- 
thing  ftronger  than  in  the  county  of  Kildare 
and  it  in  a  general  way  holds  fo  ail  the  way 
to  Kilkenny. 

It  lets  for  about  eighteen  fhiilings  an  acre. 
They  have  plenty  of  lime  hereabouts,  and 
in  fpots  limeftone  gravel. 

In  Kilkenny  there  are  very  confiderable 
flour-mills,  which  gnnd  a  great  deal  of 
wheat,  and  fend  the  flour  to  Dublin,  though 
it  is  fifty  Irith  miles  land  carriage.  Their 
miles  as  well  as  land  are  meafured  with  fe- 
v«n  yards  to  the  perch. 

What 


3i6  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

What  encourages  farmers  to  carry  their 
corn  and  flour  fo  far  by  land  to  Dublin,  is 
a  bounty  which  they  have  paid  them  l?y  the 
government,  viz.  a  half-penny  for  evc-y 
twenty  ftone  of  corn  for  every  mile  they  car- 
ry it  above  ten  from  Dublin ;  but  all  within 
ten  miles  of  Dublin  are  exempted  from  the 
bounty. 

Every  eight  ftone  of  flour  receives  a  boun- 
ty of  two-pence  for  every  five  mile,  except 
the  laft  ten  miles  next  Dublin. 

There  is  very  little  inland  navigation  in 
Ireland,  which  makes  this  encouragement 
of  land  carriage  of  great  moment  to  that  city, 
in  keeping  down  the  markets;  and  it  alfo 
encourages  farmers  to  fow  more  corn  in  the 
interior  parts  of  the  kingdom,  v/hich  would 
otherwife  be  negleded;  and  certainly  no 
country  can  be  more  proper  for  corn  than 
every  part  of  Ireland. 

1  know  the  kingdom  well,  and  verily  be- 
lieve, there  is  not  a  fpace  of  ten  miles  to- 
gether in  the  whole  kingdom,  where  there 
is  not  plenty  of  good  manure,  to  be  railed 
out  of  the  ground  at  a  fmall  expence. 

The  ifland  in  general  abounds  with  lime- 
ftone  gravel,  which  is  a  fort  of  rich  blue 
foapy  marl,  intermixed  with  fmall  cob- 
bles or  ftones^  but  of  a  very  rich  limeftone 
nature,  and  when  thrown   on  the  aground 

with 


OF    HUSBANDRY.        317 

with  the  marl,  they  ad  alfo  as  a  manure, 
as  the  weather  tempers  them,  and  makes 
them  throw  off  a  coat  or  crull,  every  year. 
It  is  amazing  what  tufts  of  fweet  grafs  are  to 
be  feen  near  thefe  ftones. 

Where  limeilone  gravel  fails,  there  is  ge- 
nerally a  greety  fand,  which  is  a  very  rich 
manure  ;  in  other  places  white  marl,  which 
lies  under  bogs,  and  in  moll  places  of  the 
kingdom,  there  is  limeflone  and  plenty  of 
turf  to  burn  it  with  ;  fo  that  in  fadf,  Ireland 
is  a  very  rich  country  in  this  refped. 

Though  the  county  of 'Wicklow  is  a 
mountainous  country  ;  yetthere  is  Tome  ve- 
ry good  fpots  of  land  in  it ;  but  in  refped  to 
good  tillage,  we  can  fay  very  little  for  it. 

They  chiefly  pay  their  rent  by  fat  calves 
and  lambs,  for  which  they  are  famous,  and 
bring  them  the  diftance  of  forty  or  fifty  miles 
to  Dublin,  viz.  from  Wicklow,  Gorey,  and 
about  Caftlebridge. 

This  country  is  a  compound  of  various 
forts  of  land  ;  in  the  hollows  or  valleys  it  is 
chiefly  a  good  rich  loamy  corn  foil,  inclined 
to  clay. 

And  on  the  hills  it  is  fandy,  mixed  with 
fmall  ftones  ;  and  in  fome  places  you  fee 
white  marble  ftones  of  a  fmall  lize.  A  great 
extent  of  mountain  covered  with  heath,  or 
ling,  js  to  be  found  here,  and  which  is  very 

improveable. 


3i8        A    NEW     SYSTEM 

improveable,  both  as  to  the  nature  of  the 
foil,  and  chcapncfs  of  manure,  as  hnieftone 
is  to  be  found  in  great  plenty,  and  lime  is 
very  proper  for  this  fort  of  land.  1  have 
icen  it  work  miracles  ©n  land  of  the  hke 
kind,  of  which  1  fliall  fpeak  more  fully  in 
its  proper  place. 

Land  (for  this  heathy  mountain  in  its  pre- 
fent  flate,  cannot  be  deemed  as  fuch)  lets, 
from  Dublin  till  you  come  near  Wicklow, 
for  about  twenty  {hillings  an  acre  ;  but  as 
you  go  farther  off,  it  lowers  to  about  fifteen 
Ihiilings  an  acre.  I  do  not  ftric'^ly  mean  all 
the  way  from  the  city  of  Dublin,  becaufc 
it  is  to  be  expected,  that  land  near  fuch  a 
capital,  fo  far  as  two  or  three  miles,  muft 
be  very  dear,  perhaps  four  or  five  pounds 
an  acre. 

The  county  of  Wexford  is  a  great  corn 
country,  and  particularly  in  the  barony  of 
Fort  and  Bargy,  they  grow  a  great  deal  of 
barley.  The  land  is  of  a  landy  nature  for 
about  five  inches  deep,  and  under  that  a  bed 
of  clay  ;  in  other  places,  a  red,  hard,  ob- 
durate, ruRy  bad  earth,  by  fome  called  ra- 
mel.  In  fhort,  a  great  part  of  the  barony 
of  Fort  and  Bargy,  is  much  fuch  land  as 
they  have  in  feveral  parts  of  Chelhire. 

At  about  five  or  fix  feet  deep  in  many 
places,  there  is  both   marl  and  limeffonc- 

gravel 


OF    HUSBANDRY.        s^f 

gfravel  to  be  found,  but  they  are  little  fought 
after. 

T!iey  make  a  gi*eat  deal  of  ufe  of  lime 
and  fea-weed,  particularly  near  the  fea-fide. 

Jn  one  particular  fpot  in  the  barony  of 
Bargy,  they  tell  you,  that  every  acre  main- 
tains a  chriftian,  a  horfe,  a  cow,  a  pig  and 
dog.  How  true  this  may  be  I  know  not^ 
but  it  is  a  common  report  in  the  adjoining, 
neighbonrhood  ;  but  be  that  as  it  will,  the 
place  is  extremely  populous  and  well  ftock-* 
ed,  and  the  land  is  rich  as  it  is  poflible  ta 
be  made,  and  with  no  other  manure  thart 
fea-weed,  which  they  make  ule  of  in  great 
abundance,  and  which  produces  the  greateft 
crops  of  corn  I  ever  faw. 

The  middling  price  of  land  is  about  fif- 
teen Ihillings  an  acre.  The  farms  are  not 
^  large  in  this  as  in  many  other  counties  m 
Ireland. 

The  barony  of  Fort  gentlemen  are  the; 
mod  hofpitable  difinterefted,  facetious  fet  of 
people  I  ever  met  witji,  ^ 

They  are  a  good  neighbourhood,  an^ 
Mve  in  unanimity,  and  joyoufly  with  each, 
other ;  they  keep  a  good  table  which  is  al- 
ways open  to  their  friend  or  neighbour :  one 
can  (carce  travel  above  a  mile  or  two  in  this 
country,  without  falling  in  with  a  gentle- 
man's houfe,  the   proprietor  qf  which  is 

worth. 


320        A    NEW      SYSTEM 

worth  from  five  to  two  thoufand  pounds  a 
year,  and  every  gentleman  is  a  farmer ;  what 
corn  he  does  not  ufe  himfclf  he  fells,  there- 
fore they  are  neither  too  little  or  too  great ; 
they  are  nowife  flafhy,  but  live  within  their 
fortune,  and  yet  quite  generous. 

The  common  people  are  all  Romans,  like- 
the  reft  of  the  kingdom,  but  not  fo  bigot- 
ted  in  their  religion,  and  feem  to  be  well" 
attached  to  the  prefent  government.  They 
talk  Engliih  well,  and  alfo  fpeak  Irifh  one 
to  another,  but  their  Irifh  differs,  fome- 
thing  from  the  rel\  of  the  kingdom. 

They  call  themfelves  Strongbowyons ; 
that  is,  they  came  over  from  England  in 
Strongbow's  time,  and  fettled  in  this  barony 
where  their  offspring  has  remained  ever 
fince. 

This  is  a  very  plentiful  cheap  place  to 
live  in,  and  particularly  for  wild  fowl  and 
tifli.  Their  wild  fowl  chiefly  confifls  of 
duck,  teal,  widgeon,  barnacle,  and  win- 
yard. 

Widgeon  and  barnacle,  though  fcarce 
eatable  in  any  other  part  of  the  world,  that 
I  know  of,  are  here  the  mofl  delicious  mor- 
fel  I  ever  tafted,  and  remarkably  Cat.  The 
winyard  is  a  fpecies  of  fowl  peculiar  to  this 
place,  I  believe,  for  I  never  faw  them  elfe- 
where  ;  they  are  not  much  unlike  a  widgeon 

widgeon 


OF.   HUSBANDRY.         321 

v/idgeon,  though  fomething  fmaller,  but 
fatter,  lor  if  they  be  iTiot  flying,  they  gene- 
rally burft  in  the  fall,  by  being  fo  immoder- 
ately fat. 

Thefe  three  forts  of  fowl  are  nearly  of  one 
tafte,  owing  cejtainly  to  their  feeding  all  up- 
on one  fort  of  food,  which  is  a  fort  of  fea- 
weed  peculiar  to  this  coaft,  and  which  is 
thrown  up,  and  left  by  the  tide  at  high- 
\\  ater-mark,  twice  in  tw6nty-four  hours  ; 
fo  that  they  are  regularly  fed,  which  makes 
them  refortherein  fuch  abundance. 

They  can  only  be  killed  at  night ;  for  all 
day,  they  either  remain  on  the  water,  or  on 
foine  finall  iflands,  that  are  fix  or  feven  miles 
within  the  lea. 

At  night  the  fowler  is  prepared  with  a  long 
wide  gun  and  a  water-dog  ;  he  places  him- 
felf  fo  as  to  command  the  length-wife  of  their 
train  of  meat ;  this  he  can  eafily  do,  as  he 
fees  where  the  water  has  left  it  the  tide  be- 
fore, which  is  in  a  long  narrow  ftrip  for  fe- 
veral  miles  together  ;  as  foon  as  it  is  dulkifh 
the  fowls  come  up  in  a  very  great  flocks  to 
feed,  fo  that  they  cover  the  ground  as  clofe 
as  they  can  fland;  a  fowler  does  nothing  but 
make  ready;  and  needs  only  one  fhot  to  load 
his  horfe  home.  It  is  almofl  incredible  vv'hat 
a  great   number   they  will   kill  at   a  fhot. 

They 

Vol.  II.  S  s 


3Z2         A    NEW     SYSTEM 

They  are  generally   fold  for  four-pence  or 
fix-|)cnce  a  pair. 

Kilkenny  is  about  fifty-fix  miles  from  Dub- 
lin ;  the  direct  road  to  it  is  through  a  very 
fine  country,  viz.  part  of  Kildare,  Carlow, 
and  part  o-f  Kilkenny ;  the  towns  you  go 
through  are  Naas,  Kikullon,  Timohn,  Car- 
low  and  Leighlen'  ridge. 

This  is  the  finetl  ride  in  Ireland,  for  fc 
far  together,  as  it  is  all  an  inclofed  country, 
without  in.eiception  of  commons,  or  any 
waile  land  ;  and  fifty- fix  miles  in  h'eland  is 
a  long  way,  as  they  meafure  with  ("even  yards 
to  the  perch. 

But  indeed  there  is  not  to  be  found  fo  fine 
a  ride  for  fo  far  togerher  in  his  Majell)'s  do- 
minions, as  m  Ireland  ;  for  if  you  begin  be- 
hind Kells,  which  is  to  the  north  of  Dub- 
lin, and  go  to  Kilkenny,  which  is  to  'the 
South  of  Dublin,  you  ride  for  about  a  hun- 
dred Irilh  miles  thro'  five  counties,  namely, 
the  county  of  JVJeath,  Dublin,  Kildare,  Car- 
low  and  Kilkenny. 

You  have  all  the  road,  a  good  qoickfet 
hedge  at  each  fide  of  you,  and  all  an  inclofed 
count  y  ,  )  ou  do  not  go  over  an  acre  of  ei- 
ther bog,  heath,  mountain,  common,  or 
any  fort  of  waile  land  ;  you  are  alfo  accom- 
panied part  of  the  way  with  cither  gentlc- 
mens  feats,  or  tovN'Uo,  at  the  end  of  every 
:\vo  or  tlii'ee  miles.  The 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         323 

The  town  of  K  Ikermy  is  famc'3  for  four 
rarities,  air  wirhoi  t  tog.  water  without  mud, 
coals  v/itfK)ut  Anoke,  and  the  ilreets  paved 
with  marble. 

How  this  old  tr  idition  arofe  into  proverb, 

I  know  not,  but  they  can  in  ftrianefs  only 

claim  two   of  the   four  ;  which  is  the  two 

laft. 

They  have  marble  quarries  near  the  town 
from  which  they  botii  build  their  houfc^ 
and  pave  their  Ilreets  with  ;  but  neither  the 
houfes  or  ftrcets  cut  any  better  (igurr,  or 
fcarce  fo  good,  as  other  good  tov/n  in  Ire- 
land ;  for  every  one  knows  that  marble  is 
a  very  rough  (lone,  without  great  labour  of 

polifliing 

The  Kilkenny  coals  do  not  in  the  lealt 
fmoke,  for  v.  hich  reafun  they  are  made  ufe 
of  all  over  Ireland,  to  dry  malt  with,  and 
in  Kilkenny  as  common  firing. 

It  is  true,  as  they  have  no  fmoke,  there 
is  not  fo  grofs  an  air,  or  heavy  clouds  over 
the  city,  as  is  over  other  great ^  cities  or 
towns,  where  the  coals  have  a  Imoke,  which 
afcencls  to  the  clouds  ;  but  the  air  is  not  ex- 
empted from  fog  for  all  that,  as  there  is  no 
commanding  the  clouds,  fogs  or  miits  of 
other  countries,  but  they  will  blow  over  it, 

iuft  as  the  winds  fet     ^         •  _,  , 

■^  Through 


324         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

Through  the  city  runs  a  fine  river,  over 
which  there  are  two  new  bridges,  built  of 
marble,  juft  finiihed  ;  the  old  bridges  were 
broken  down  with  a  great  flood,  about  five 
years  ago.  The  bottom  of  the  river  is  gra- 
vel, therefore  the  water  is  for  the  moft  part 
exceeding  clean  and  clear,  but  I  have  fccn  it 
muddy.  , 

In  the  town  of  Kilkenny,  and  near  the 
river  fide,  (lands  on  an  cmminencc,  a  fine 
Gothic  building,  belonging  to  the  Butler  fa- 
mily, which  was  erecfted  in  the  reign  of 
Queen  Anne,  by  the  famous  Duke  of  Or- 
mond,  whofe  conduct  is  well  known  in 
Ireland,  for  his  government  of  that  king- 
dom. 

And  about  two  or  three  miles  farther  up 
the  river  ftands  the  ruins  of  another  of  his 
magnificent  and  delightfully  fituated  build- 
ings, which  are  furroundingly  ornamented 
with  an  extending  plantation  of  afh,  and 
other  lofty  towering  trees,  that  (till  remain 
healthfully  extending  without  the  aid  of 
art. 

The  town  of  Kilkenny  and  environs  is 
not  very  large,  or  by  any  means  remarkably 
handfome  or  regularly  built,  as  is  fomctimes 
reported  by  many  who  travel  through,  or 
others  who   have  dwelt  there  ;  but  it  muH", 

I  think 


OF     HUSBANDRY.        325 

I  think,  be  acknowledged  by  all  impartial 
and  difinterelled  obfervators,  that  it  is  a  rich, 
populous  and  an  improvable  town,  and  car- 
ries on  a  good  trade  in  the  manufacilory  of 
blankets,  and  many  other  woollen  commo- 
dities. 

Travelling  for  about  fifteen  or  feventecn 
miles  acrols  the  country  towards  Waterford 
the  laiid  appeared  fully  to  me  to  be,  in 
innumerable  cafes,  exceedingly  barren  and 
bad,  thefe  qualities  added  to  mountains  co- 
vered with  ling  or  heath,  cannot  be  of  much 
ufe  to  the  landlord  or  tenant.  This  rents 
from  about  five  to  ten  Ihilhngs,  per  acre  ; 
tkere  is  here  fome  vmexceptionably  rich  and 
fruitful  valleys,  that  very  well  pay  the  huf- 
bandm.Tn  for  his  toil  and  labourious  perfe- 
verance,  but  mufl  pay  a  higher  price  for 
thefe  advantages. 

Waterford  lies  about  twenty-four  miles 
from  Kilkenny ;  it  is  a  tov/n  of  a  pretty  fmart 
trade,  and  really  now  deferves  to  drop  that 
odium  that  has  formerly  been  cafl  upon  it, 
of  very  bufy,  and  nothing  to  do,  like  Water- 
ford merchants :  as  they  have  now  iomj- 
thing  to  do,  both  in  the  Newfoundland 
fifhery,  and  exportation  of  beef,  butter  and 

>  pork 


326  A     NEW    SYSTEM 

pork,  in  great  abundance,  they  alio  manu- 
farture  a  great  deal  of  frize. 

Waterford  is  not  lar^e,  but  a  populous 
rich  town,  and  improving  every  day. 

The  land  in  this  country  is  not  good  -,  in 
general  about  two  thirds  is  a  mountainous, 
thin,  weak  land  ;  and  any  good  veins  there 
are,  are  kept  under  dairies,  fo  that  agricul- 
ture IS  negleded,  and  the  poor  alfo  in  a 
flarving  condition. 

A  great  many  men  Ihip  themfelvcs  off 
from  Waterford,  to  ferve  the  feaion  in  the 
Newfoundland  fifhery,  for  which  they  will 
get  perhaps  fifteen  or  fixteen  pounds  wages 
lor  fix  or  feven  months. 

Being  great  help  to  this  neighbourhood, 
for  they  generally  Ipend  it  in  the  winter  half 
year. 

Land  lets  here  at  about  twenty  fhillings 
an  arce,  fuch  as  is  fit  for  dairies,  and  lies  in 
valleys,  but  a  great  deal  of  high  land  lets  for 
about  eight  Ihillings  an  acre. 

In  about  thirty  or  forty  miles  ride,  viz. 
from  Dorrow  to  Limerick,  through  moft 
part  of  the  country  of  Tipperary,  the  coun- 
try is  almofl  run  wild,  one  would  think, 
with  Iheep  and  bullocks ;  for  it  is  hard  to 
fee  a  corn-ltack,  or  a  plough  at  work. 

It 


OF     HUSBANDRY.        327 

it  was  in  this  county  the  White  Boys  have 
been  fo  troublefome.  The  land  in  mofl 
parts,  particularly  Cafhel^  Tipperary,  Clon- 
mel,  and  down  trom  that  to  Limerick,  is 
very  fertile,  would  bring  great  crops  of 
corn,  but  the  great  polTefTors  of  it  are  blind 
to  eveiy  thing  but  bullocks  and  fheep.  fo 
that  a2;nculture  and  every  lort  of  trade  is 
baniihed ;  which  makes  a  fine  country  look 
very  naked,  and  its  poor  inhabitants  meagre 
and  ragged. 

There  is  fome  of  the  richtft  land  that  ever 
I  faw  in  ail  my  travels  in  this  county,  and 
the  county  of  Limerick,  called  the  golden 
vein  ;  and  yet  it  cuts  the  pooreft  afped  as 
to  its  poor  inhabitants,  owing  to  its  being 
kept  under  il.ock. 

The  flaple  of  the  land  confifts  of  a  deep 
loamy  clay  ar  corn  foil,  will  bring  either 
wheat  or  any  other  fort  of  grain,  without 
fallow,  dung,  or  any  other  manure;  in 
fliort,  it  is  rich  beyond  expreffion. 

Land  lets  here  for  thirty  and  thirty- 
five  fhillings  an  acre,  great  fai-ms  toge- 
ther. 

As  they  feldom  make  ufe  of  dung,  ex- 
cept tor  fetting  potatoes,  they  are  little  trou- 
bled with  fmutty  wheat;  but  they  are  vifited 
wiih  red  worms  fomctimes  when  they  turn 
up  freAi  ground. 

Thr 


^z'd  A    NEW     SYSTEM 

Tlie  graziers  are  gentlemen  who  eat  and 
wear  well,  and  drink  plenty  of  punch  and 
claret,  an  eafy  fufficiency  feenis  to  dance 
among  them;  but  the  poor  are  mifcrably  lo 
and  they  are  moiUy  Roman  Catholics,  lor 
there  is  fcarce  any  poor  in  Ireland  of  aay 
other  religion  ;  numbers  of  them  I  heard 
fay  they  were  content  with  their  reftri^ted 
fituation,  and  feemcd  avcrfe  to  the  interfe- 
rence of  any  laws  that  feemed  to  offer  for 
their  relief.  Others  who  felt  naturally  a 
glow  of  freedom,  exclaimed  againil  the  il- 
liberality  of  thole  that  make  laws  and  go- 
vern, faying,  at  die  fime  time,  how  can 
thofe  people  expecil  we  can  be  good  fubjccls 
while  their  conduc!:!  in  not  fharing  equally 
with  us,  the  bcnchts  of  the  country  which 
is  held  (tet  to  our  proteflant  neigbour. 

In  Ihort  they  are  a  very  numerous  and 
opprelTed  body  of  people,  that  have  to  en- 
counter and  wade  through  a  fea  of  impoli- 
tic laws  and  troubles.  1  think,  if  1  had  it 
in  my  power  to  enad  two  or  three  laws,  I 
could  make  Ireland  one  of  the  Urongeft 
and  richcfl  illands  his  Muiefty  has,  as  its  fi- 
tua  ion  is  good  for  trade  both  by  fea  and 
land  ;  the  furface  of  the  earth  by  nature, 
is  i[i  general  very  rich,  but  where  it  is  not 
it  is  eafjly  made  fo  ;  for  all  over  Ireland  the 
interior  parts  of  the  earth  abound  with  rich 
manures  of  all  forts. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  329 

The  kingdom  is  alfo  variegated  with  va- 
riety of  loughs,  rivulets,  and  bogs ;  fo  that 
there  is  no  vv^ant  of  fire  or  water. 

Likewife  the  kingdom  is  very  populous, 
therefore  muft,  with  the  above  advantages, 
add  both  ftrength  and  riches,  were  they 
made  ufeful  members  of  fociety,  and  all  to 
ftand  by  the  Proteftant  caufe. 

The  gavel-adl  indeed,  has  done  won- 
ders in  bringing  over  the  rich;  but  nothing 
has  yet  tranfpired  to  change  the  poor  Ca- 
tholics ;  they  are  a  fet  of  poor  deluded 
creatures,  and  it  is  a  pity  but  an  a6l  would 
pafs  (which  might  be  eafily  pointed  out)  to 
relieve  them. 

Moftly  all  over  Ireland  the  fairs  for  cattle 
are  very  large;  but  particularly  in  Con- 
naught:  the  fair  of  BallinaQoe  is  incredibly 
fo  for  wool,  horned  cattle,  fheep  and  horfes, 
I  am  credibly  informed,  that  the  cuftoms 
amout  to  feven  hundred  pounds  ilerling  a 
year;  which  fhews  its  immenfe  value,  as 
the  toll  for  a  fcore  of  iheep,  perhaps  worth 
thirty  pounds,  is  only  three-pence,  and 
three- pence  each  for  a  cow,  or  any  other 
cattle. 

The  poor  generally  fow  a  little  flax  feed, 
which  they  buy  from  a  fort  of  petty  mer- 
chant, at  an  extravagant  price,  perhaps 
for  five  or  fix  (hillings  a  Winchefter  peck, 
for  which  they  get  a  years  credit,  till  they 

Vol.  11.  Tt  fpin 


330  A     NEW     SYSTEM 

Ipin  it  into  thread,  in  confideration  of 
which  they  pay  about  two  hundred  per 
cent. 

If  they  run  in  debt  for  half  a  peck  or  a 
peck  ot  flax-feed,  they  give  a  note  payable 
before  the  fummer-alfizes  in  the  enfuing 
year;  if  they  mifs  payment  they  are  fure 
to  be  procelTed  at  the  aifizes. 

And  here  the  merchant  or  creditor  has 
another  apothecary's  profit,  of  about  eleven- 
pence to  the  fliilling;  for  he  will  buy  a 
blank  procefs  for  a  penny,  and  fill  it  up 
himfclf ;  he  charges  for  the  procefs  an  En- 
glifli  Ihilling,  which  is  thirteen-pence  Irilh, 
and  perhaps  the  original  debt  will  not  be 
^bove  two  or  three  fliillings. 

If  the  debtor  do  not  pay  it  before  the 
afTizes,  he  is  decreed,  which  is  eight  fhil- 
lings  and  four-pence  expence.  An  honeft 
man  would  abhor  the  oppreflion. 

.  It  is  generally  Roman  Catholics  that  are 
thofe  Jevvilh  like  merchants,  for  there  are 
few  Proteftants  in  that  trade,  and  there  are 
none  in  Ireland  more  opprefTive  to  Romans, 
than  Romans  them  lei  ves. 

The  county  of  Cork  is  very  large,  fo 
confequently  confifts  of  various  forts  of  foil, 
but  the  major  part  is  mountainous,  and  lets 
perhaps  at  about  eight  ihiliings  an  acre; 
but  in  the  valleys  it  is  high  priced,  perhaps 
twenty  Ihiliings  an  acre. 

The 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  331 

The  favourite  manure  of  Ireland,  viz. 
limeftone  gravel,  is  fcarce  to  be  found  here ; 
but  they  have  plenty  of  limeftone,  which 
they  burn  with  whins,  and  comes  pretty 
cheap ;  it  is  common  to  fee  a  lime-kiln  that 
will  contain  four  or  five  hundred  bufhels 
of  lime. 

Though  we  cannot  fay  much  for  the  neat 
hufbandry  of  thefe  farmers,  yet  I  cannot 
pafs  by  them  without  taking  notice  of  a 
piece  of  invention,  I  think  very  praife- 
worthy,  and  interefting  to  every  one  fituated 
as  they  are. 

I  obferved  above,  that  they  have  plenty 
of  limeltone,  which  they  make  into  lime 
by  burning  it  with  whins,  other  firing  be- 
ing fcarce;  and  as  they  make  ufe  of  a  great 
deal  of  lime,  they  confume  great,  quantities 
of  this  fort  of  fuel,  therefore  it  requires 
contrivance  to  keep  up  a  proper  fund  for 
that  purpofe. 

This  is  done  by  raifing  large  ditches  for 
fence;  and  as  their  land  lies  high,  and  the 
country  fcarce  of  flielter,  being  thin  of  woods 
or  hedges,  they  fow  each  fide  of  the  bank, 
which  they  raife  by  making  the  ditch,  with 
whin-feed;  and  when  the  whins  are  ready 
to  cut  for  fuel  at  three  years  old,  they  cut 
only  one  fide  of  the  ditch,  and  leave  the 
other  for  flicker  and  fence  till  the  cut  fide 
grows  to  fulfil  that  ofBce,    then  they  cut  the 

oldeft 


332         A    NEW     SYSTEM 

oklefl  fide  for  fuel ;  fo  they  go  on  alternate- 
ly, cutting  the  oldeft  fide  from  generation 
to  generation.  This  is  a  piece  of  manage- 
ment that  I  would  highly  recommend  to  rny 
American  readers  in  their  cleared  land,  as 
whins  are  not  only  a  fence,  flicker,  and  firing ; 
but  alfo  good  food  for  cattle  all  winter;  they 
being  an  evergreen  and  full  of  fap,  the  Iheep, 
horfes,  and  horned  cattle  delight  in  thenx 
while  young.  Several  farmers  in  Wales  have 
large  fields  which  they  cut  fuccefiively, 
from  a  year  to  two,  or  three  old,  and  have 
mills  turned  by  a  horfe  to  grind  them  for 
their  horfes,  which  ferves  inftead  of  corn; 
and  others  who  have  not  mills,  beat  them 
in  a  morter,  with  a  wooden  mall,  filled  in 
the  l^ead  with  horfe  nails :  when  the  whins 
are  thrown  in  the  manger  they  will  fwim 
with  liquor,  of  which  the  horfes  are  fond. 

And  thus  they  are  fupplied  with  fuel, 
fence,  and  fhelter,  from  the  fame  ditch, 
which  perhaps  takes  up  not  more  ground 
than  two  yards,  though  by  meafuring  round 
the  top  of  the  bank,  we  fhall  find  a  furface 
for  the  whins  to  grow  on  of  near  four 
yards.  » 

How  many  places  are  there  in  America, 
England,  Scotland,  and  Wales,  that  are 
fcarce  both  of  fire,  fence,  and  fhelter,  that 
would  be  glad  of  wliins  to  burn  inflead  of 
flravv  and  cow-dung,  which  are  ufed  in  ma- 

^7 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  333 

ny  parts,  particulary  in  England.  And  how 
eafy  and  cheap  would  it  be  for  them  to  raife 
thefe  three  valuable  articles  of  fire,  fence^ 
and  ftielter,  by  the  above  method  ? 

But  though  this  fimple  method  is  very 
praife- worthy ;  yet  it  falls  much  fhort  of 
the  great  oeconomy  they  pra(5life,  by  break- 
ing limeftone  to  powder,  and  applying  it 
as  manure  for  land  inftead  of  lime. 

It  anfwers  the  fame  end,  comes  much 
cheaper,  and  lafts  longer  than  lime;  it  an- 
fwers for  any  fort  of  land,  but  befl  for 
flrong,  as  its  angular  points  cuts  through 
and  opens  it,  and  the  weather  foftens  the 
little  flones,  fo  that  it  keeps  peeling  and 
difcharging  a  cruft,  which  adls  as  a  perpe- 
tual manure  till  the  latl  bit  be  wafted. 

I  happened  in  company  with  a  gentleman 
farmer  who  firft  tried  it,  and  he  aiTured  me 
that  it  anfwered  full  as  well  as  lime,  and 
that  it  did  not  cod  half  fo  much  breaking. 

I  viewed  a  piece  of  grafs  ground  covered 
with  this  bruifed  limeftone,  which  aflonifh- 
ed  me  with  furprife,  at  feeing  fuch  a  fine 
verdure  in  the  middle  of  a  very  barren  field, 
moftly  grown  over  with  heath;  but  as  far 
as  the  limeftone  had  been  laid  on,  it  had 
quite  changed  the  nature  of  the  foil,  killed 
the  heath,  and  fubftituted  honey-fuckles 
and  wild  clover  in  its  place. 

Several 


334        A    NEW    SYSTEM 

Several  more  gentlemen  about  Mallow- 
were  following  this  pradlice,  and  doubt  not 
but  it  will  in  time  be  univerfally  uied  there, 
inftead  of  burning  lime,  particularly  where 
firing  comes  high. 

I  am  fatisfied  that  limeftone  bruifed  to 
powder  and  laid  on  grafs  ground,  is  better 
than  lime  or  even  any  other  manure,  parti- 
cularly if  the  ground  be  ftrong,  coarfe,  and 
four,  or  inclined  to  heath  or  ling;  and  it  is 
far  the  bed  manure  I  know  of  for  fuppeiling 
mofs. 

A  man  may  break  a  chaldron  or  four 
quarters  in  three  days,  or  in  lefs,  if  the 
ftone  be  of  a  foft  nature. 

The  fmaller  it  is  broke,  the  fooner  it  will 
take  efFecfl ;  none  ought  to  be  left  larger  than 
a  hade  nut. 

A  great  improvement  might  be  made  by 
a  horie-mill,  to  grind  limetlone  in,,  in  the 
nature  of  a  bark-mill  or  an  oil-mill. 

The  city  of  Cork  is  a  very  rich  flourifh- 
ing  place,  and  drives  on  a  confiderable  trade 
in  the  exportation  of  beef,  pork,  and  but- 
ter. 

It  is  alfo  improving  very  much  in  its 
buildings ;  it  is  a  ready  market  for  a  farmer 
to  vend  the  produdl  of  his  land  in.  It  is 
well  fituated  for  trade;  and  ihould  there 
ever  be  a  union  becwecn  I^ngland  and  Ire- 
land, it  would  loon  be  a  far  richer  city  than 
Dublin.  The 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  335 

The  upper  part  of  the  county  of  Sligo, 
Mayo,  and  Galway,  leading  to  the  weltern 
fea,  the  land  is  only  good  in  fpots  ;  in  all 
thefe  counties  there  is  a  great  deal  of  gra- 
velly, rocky,  heathy,  fhallow  land,  inter- 
mixed with  bogs ;  however  in  the  worfl  of 
it  there  is  every  necelTary  material  for  im- 
provement. 

In  thefe  counties  land  varies  much  in 
price,  according  to  its  value,  but,  upon  a 
medium,  it  may  be  rated  at  about  twelve 
fliillings  an  acre. 

There  is  no  part  in  Ireland  where  land 
varies  fo  much  as  in  the  county  of  Leitrim. 
In  order  to  give  my  reader  an  idea  of  it, 
I  {hall  juft  mention,  that  in  the  year  1759, 
I  let  about  five  hundred  acres  of  land,  in 
four  different  farms,  all  lying  within  one 
ring  fence,  one  for  fix  fliillings,  another  for 
twelve  fliillings,  another  for  eighteen  Ihil- 
lings,  and  another  for  a  guinea,  being  one 
pound  two  flii lings  and  nine-pence  Irifli  cur- 
rency, per  acre. 

And  indeed  the  land  varies  accordingly 
through  the  county,  in  fome  places  fine  rich 
limeftone  foil,  in  others  ftrong  cold  clay 
foil,  all  grown  over  with  rufhes,  and  in 
others  thin  gravel  foil,  grown  over  wdth 
heath. 

But  this  county,  like  moft  others  in  Ire- 
land,   abounds  with  all  forts  of  manure  for 

improve- 


336        A    NEW    SYSTEM 

improvement,  fuch  as  limeftone  gravel, 
white  rich  marl,  a  fine  rich  fand  mixed  with 
{hells,  and  limeftone  in  abundance,  together 
with  turf  in  plenty  to  burn  it  with. 

I  have  had  extreme  good  wheat  and  corn 
of  all  forts  here.  I  feldom  fee  them  troubled 
with  fmutty  wheat,  or  red  worms,  which 
is  perhaps  owing  to  their  fweet  method  of 
manuring. 

Their  method  of  farming  is  very  bad, 
atid  their  way  of  yoking  horfes  as  barbarous ; 
they  draw  their  plows  and  harrows  with 
their  horfes  tied  by  their  taiis.  I  have  very 
often  feen  a  mare  and  her  offspring,  viz.  a 
three  years  old,  two  years  old,  and  one  year 
old  colts,  plowing  all  a-breafl,  two  going 
upon  the  plowed  land  and  two  upon  the 
unplowed  land  with  neither  hemp  or  iron 
about  them ;  their  whole  gearing  confifled 
of  a  whity,  or  twifled  flick,  tied  to  the  hair 
of  each  horfe's  tail,  and  fo  through  a  hole 
made  in  a  long  pole  or  flick,  which  reached 
the  breadth  of  the  four  horfes,  and  ferved 
by  the  way  of  a  fwingle-tree,  which  pole 
is  faflened  in  the  middle  by  another  withy 
to  a  hole  bored  in  the  end  of  the  plow- 
beam. 

The  man  that  drives,  or  more  properly 
fpeaking,  leads  the  horfes,  has  a  long  flick 
to  which  each  horfes  head  is  tied  with  a 
withy  halter  J    the  man  by  holding  the  flick 

has 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         337 

Jias  all  the  horfes  at  his  command ;  he  walks 
backwards  before  the  horfes  heads  all  the 
day ;  when  he  wants  them  to  follow  him,  he 
pricks  them  with  a  long  flick  he  has  in  the 
other  hand,  in  the  end  of  which  a  fharp  nail 
is  fixed.  Thu^  we  fee  them  equipt  in  the 
plow  way. 

They  harrow  in  the  fame  wooden  manner, 
having  a  withy  faflened  to  the  hair  of  each 
horfe*s  tail,  and  to  a  harrow  which  each 
horfe  drags ;  the  harrow  teeth  are  made  of 
whin  flalks  inflead  of  iron,  fo  that  in  fadl 
there  is  neither  hemp,  leather,  or  iron,  ex- 
cept the  coulter  and  fock,  about  theii*  teams ; 
and  yet  I  have  feen  as  good  corn  grow  there 
as  I  ever  faw  in  England,  which  is  all  owing 
to  the  natural  goodnefs  of  their  land,  and 
maiden  manure  they  raife  out  of  the  interior 
parts  of  the  earth. 

Was  no  better  plowing  or  management 
ufed  in  England,  we  fhould  grow  nothing 
but  weeds  inflead  of  corn. 

The  greatefl  misfortune  which  generally 
attends  their  crops,  is  that  of  their  being 
too  rank,  fo  that  the  corn  is  fmall  and  lean, 
as  the  richnefs  of  the  foil,  and  the  foftnefs 
of  the  climate,  together  with  the  double 
portion  of  feed  they  throw  into  the  ground, 
forces  it  too  much  into  flraw. 

But  as  I  have  defcribed  their  barbarous 
method  of    drawing  their  horfes  by  their 

Vol.  lie  U  u  tails 


33S        A    NEW    SYSTEM 

tails,  I  muft  alfo  do  juflice  to  the  legiflature, 
by  telling  my  reader,  that  they  have  made 
a  law  to  put  a  flop  to  this  cruelty  which  has 
in  a  great  meafure  contradled  it  to  the  moft 
diftant  or  remoteft  parts  of  the  country  at 
prefent,  but  formerly  it  was  general  all  over 
the  kingdom. 

The  counties  of  Monaghan,  Tyrone,  Lon- 
donderry, Fermanagh,  Donegal,  Down, 
Caven,  Armagh,  and  Antrim,  are  in  the 
north  of  Ireland. 

Moft  of  thele  counties  flourifh  much  ia 
the  manufadluring  of  linen  cloth,  particu- 
larly towards  the  fea-coaft,  oppofite  Scot- 
land. 

The  moft  conftderable  manufadluries 
begin  at  Dundalk,  and  fo  on  to  Newry, 
Loughbrickland,  HillftDorough,  Lift^urn, 
Belfaft,  Lurgan,  and  Armagh:  through 
all  thefe  places  the  land  is  very  good,  ex- 
cept fome  mountains  interfperfed  here  and 
there. 

The  lands  here  are  in  general  better  in- 
clofed,  and  divided  into  fmaller  farms,  than 
in  the  reft  of  Ireland,  which  is  a  great  bleiT- 
ing  to  the  inhabitants,  and  adds  much  to 
the  beauty  and  richnefs  of  the  country; 
becaule  when  a  man  is  not  over-burdened 
with  land,  he  can,  as  it  were,  make  his 
farm  into  a  garden,  by  attending  to,  and 
beautifying  every  part  of  it;  and  he  cer- 
tainly 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         339 

tainly  can  make  one  acre,  well  cultivated, 
produce  as  much  as  five  in  its  wild  barren 
Hate. 

What  pity  it  is  that  the  worthy  gentlemen 
of  Ireland  will  not  open  their  eyes  to  fuch 
plain  fadls,  and  curtail  thefe  unmerciful 
farms,  that  ruin  the  beft  part  of  this  fine, 
healthy,  and  eafy  to  be  made,  a  very  rich 
kingdom. 

The  land  within  the  ride  of  the  laft  men- 
tioned towns,  lets  at  about  eighteen  fliillings 
an  acre.  It  is  in  general,  flrong  wheat  foil; 
but  however  their  chief  crops  are  oats, 
beans,  and  potatoes. 

Here  are  many  little  bogs  lying  between 
the  hills,  under  which  is  a  good  white 
marl ;  there  is  alfo  plenty  of  limeftone,  aild 
lime  is  often  ufed  as  manure. 

The  right  honourable  lord  chief  baron 
Fofter  has  an  eftate  at  Colon,  in  the  county 
of  Louth,  amounting  to  about  two  thou- 
fand  acres,  that  formerly  let  at  half  a  crown 
an  acre,  which  he  has  improved  by  lime 
to  fuch  an  amazing  degree,  that  it  now 
lets  from  eighteen  to  twenty- three  fliillings 
an  acre ;  an  immenfe  rife  indeed :  and  what 
is  more,  the  firft  crop  generally  paid  the 
expence  of  liming,  though  he  had  the  lime- 
ftone to  carry  four  miles,  which  is  a  dif- 
tance  that  feldom  happens  in  Ireland. 

The 


340         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

The  coals  that  burn  it  he  gets  front 
England.  He  told  me  that  he  can  lime  well 
for  four  pounds  an  acre,  at  feven  yards  to 
the  perch;  aiid  he  lets  the  land  the  firft 
year  to  break  up  to  fet  potatoes  in,  at  four 
pounds  an  acre,  the  next  year  he  lets  the 
fame  land  where  the  potatoes  grew,  to  fow 
oats  in^  at  three  pounds  an  acre,  and  thd 
third  year  to  fow  again  with  oats,  at  fifty 
fhillings  an  acre. 

In  all  this,  he  is  at  iio  other  expence,  but 
jufl  laying  the  lime  on. 

Sometimes  inftead  of  oats  after  potatoes, 
they  fow  flax- feed  or  bare;  but  they  may 
fow  what  they  will,  as  they  are  fure  of 
good  crops. 

The  lime  generally  lies  on  the  fod  about 
a  year  before  it  is  broke  up,  and  as  it  lies 
pretty  thick,  it  prefles  down  any  grafs, 
heath,  or  other  rubbifh  that  may  be  on  the 
land,  and  turns  it  to  dung,  by  which  means 
it  ferments  and  unites  the  lime  to  the  fbd 
and  particles  of  earth,  which  otherwife 
would   not  incorporate  and  unite  fo  kindly. 

The  original  llate  of  this  land  was  a 
heathy  wild  mountain,  without  hedges, 
ditch,  tree,  or  bulb  of  any  fortj  and  had 
as  wild  a  look  as  the  liighlands  of  Scotland. 

The  flaple  of  the  ground  is  inclined  to 
a  clay  gravel  of  a  reddifh  caft,  intermixed 
with  thin  ilaty  gritty  ftones. 

The 


OF    HUSBANDRY,         34^ 

The  fituatioii  of  the  ground  is  not  to  be 
called  very  hi^h^  nor  is  it  level,  but  in 
waving  hills,  and  takes  a  good  pull  for  a 
carnage  to  attain  the  top. 

They  generally  plow  in  all  this  country 
with  four  horfes,  two  before  two,  except  in 
breaking  up  grafs  ground,  then  they  gene- 
rally ule  fix. 

They  grow  a  great  deal  of  bats  and 
round  eared  barley^  in  the  counties  of 
Louth  and  Down^  till  you  come  to  Do- 
naghadee. 

Farther  north  towards  the  county  of  An- 
trim, Donegal,  and  Londonderry,  the  land 
lowers  in  its  value^  having  a  great  deal  of 
flrong,  cold,  fpewy,  rufliy,  and  heathy- 
land  interfperfed  all  over  the  country;  and 
the  country  is  alfo  uneven,  rlfing  very 
much  into  hills,  fometimes  to  a  difagree- 
able  height. 

They  grow  little  elfe  here  but  potatoe^^ 
flax,  and  oatSj  the  oats  moftly  of  the  black 
fort ;  not  but  the  land  will  grow  both  wheat 
and  beans,  as  I  have  feen  good  of  both 
raifed  by  gentlemen,  but  the  farmers  do 
not  care  to  venture  out  of  their  old  track 
of  hufbandry. 

The  land  here  varies  much  in  rent;  in 
good  fpots  and  near  towns,  it  lets  for 
about  twenty  fhillings  an  acre;  but  in  the 
high  and  more  opea  country,    it  does  not 

let 


342        A    NEW    SYSTEM 

lee    perhaps   for    more  than  ten  fhillings 
an  acre. 


CHAP.    LXI. 

Oti  trenching  Land  near  Glajgoiv  with  Spades, 

UPQN  finifhing  my  travels,  and  obfer- 
vations  through  Ireland,  I  took  a  tour 
through  Scotland  and  England,  to  make 
further  oblervations ;  but  as  I  do  not  think 
it  of  moment  enough  to  trouble  my  Ameri- 
can readers  with  it,  having  fufficient  mat- 
ter of  more  confequence,  I  fhall  only  men- 
tion one  piece  of  management  of  trenching 
land  with  fpades  near  Glafgow,  to  which 
I  referred  my  reader,  from  page  44.  vol.  I. 

When  the  farmers  here  have  a  piece  of 
ground  wore  out  by  tillage,  fo  that  it  will 
not  bring  any  more  crops  without  manure, 
is  then  trenched  with  a  fpade,  fometimes 
two,  and  fometimes  three  fpit  deep;  that 
is,  they  begin  and  dig  thiee  fpade-grafts 
deep,  and  make  a  trench,  into  the  bottom 
of  which  they  throw  the  top  fod,  and  over 
that  the  fecond  fod  or  fpade- graft,  and  alfo 
the  third,  fo  that  the  bottom  fpade-graft, 
taken  up  at  three  feet  deep,  becomes  the  up- 
per ftratum  for  corn  to  grow  in. 

If 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         343 

If  the  farmer  lets  his  land  to  be  trenched 
by  the  acre,  the  price  is  let  without  varying, 
and  is  as  follows. 

For  trenching  two  fpit,  or  fpade-graft 
deep,  (without  fliovelling  the  loole  mould 
out  after  the  fpit)  forty  Ihillings  an  acre; 
for  digging  two  fpit,  and  {hovelling  the 
loofe,  forty- five  fhillings  an  acre ;  for  digg- 
ing three  fpit,  without  fliovelling,  fifty-five 
fhillings  an  acre ;  for  digging  three  fpit  deep, 
and  {hovelling,  three  pounds  an  acre. 

They  find  by  experience  that  it  is  better 
for  the  land,  and  they  are  more  fure  of  a 
crop  of  any  fort  after  trenching,  than  if 
they  lay  on  lime  or  any  other  manure  to  the 
amount  of  three  pounds  an  acres ;  and  wh^t 
is  more  furprifing,  this  is  pradlifed  in  a 
country  where  manure  is  plenty  and  eafy  to 
be  got. 

After  fuch  trenching,  the  land  will  bring 
five  or  fix  good  crops  before  it  need  be  trench- 
ed again,  and  it  will  grow  corn  even  of  one 
fort  without  changing  from  generation  to 
generation,  if  it  be  again  trenched  to  revive 
its  exhaufted  fpirits  at  proper  periods. 

I  know  fome  of  my  readers,  who  only 
caft  a  curfory  view  upon  things,  may  think 
my  account  fabulous,  but  1  afTmre  them 
what  I  have  faid  is  abfolutely  fad ;  for  I  faw 
the  whole  work  performed  with  my  own 
eyes ;  I  faw  alfo  the  crops  grow,  and  I  ne- 
ver 


344        A    NEW    SYSTEM 

ver  faw  better  wheat,  oats,  and  barley  in  my 
life;  and  I  took  particular  notice  of  fuch 
trenched  corn  as  it  happened  in  town-fields, 
and  found  that  ridges  along  fide  which 
were  dunged  and  fallowed,  were  not  fo 
good  by  much,  nor  fb  clear  of  weeds; 
that  both  the  ear,  grain,  and  ftraw  were 
fmaller. 

When  we  confider  the  thing  attentively, 
it  is  eafily  accounted  for,  particularly  if 
the  land  be  of  a  proper  fort,  viz  If  loomy 
clay  or  loomy  fand,  or  fand  itfelf ;  becaufe 
if  land  be  ever  fo  poor,  it  is  generally 
covered  with  a  coat  of  fome  fort,  either 
flubble,  weeds,  or  grai's,  which  being 
thrown  into  the  bottom  of  a  trench,  and 
covered  with  earth  two  or  three  feet  thick, 
it  ferments,  rots,  and  evaporates  its  vola- 
tile fpirits,  which  penetrate  through  every 
particle  of  the  body  of  earth  over  it. 

In  fhort  the  whole  body  thus  mixed,  mud 
be  in  a  ftate  of  ferment,  beiides  the  weeds 
and  rubbiili  being  buried  too  deep  for  vegi- 
tation,  rots  and  becomes  manure.  Any 
reafonable  man  will  allow  that  there  muft 
be  a  wide  difference  between  the  root  of  a 
weed  growing  and  partaking  of  the  ftrength 
of  the  g»ound,  and  the  fame  root  being  rot- 
ted to  feed  the  ground ;  but  as  I  have  han- 
dled this  fubjedl  pretty  fully  in  another  part 
of  this  work,  I  fhall  drop  it  here. 

CHAP. 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         345 


CHAP.     LXIL 

The  Price  of  Labour  and  ViBuals  in  the  fever  at 
Counties  of  Ireland^  in  Order  to  give  an 
Idea  of  the  different  State  oj  the  Tivo  King- 
dom in  thefe  Particulars, 

DUBLIN,  beef  by  the  quarter  at  two- 
pence  half-penny  a  pound,  from  Mi- 
chaelmas to  Chriftmas,  but  is  very  dear  in 
fpring,  which  is  chiefly  owing  to  the  fcarce- 
nefs  of  winter  feeding,  as  the  people  of  Ire- 
land fow  very  little  turnip-feed. 

Good  beef  in  April  perhaps  will  give  four* 
pence  a  pound  by  the  quarter.  Mutton 
keeps  at  a  much  more  equal  price;  for  as 
their  land  is  good,  and  their  winters  mo- 
derate, fat  fheep  will  keep  their  flefh  through 
the  winter,  fo  that  the  markets  feldom  vary 
above  a  penny  a  pound ;  it  fells  at  Michael- 
mas at  two-pence  half-penny  a  pound,  and 
in  fpring  at  three-pence  half-penny  a  pound. 
Pork  and  bacon  bears  an  equal  moderate 
price,  which  is  owing  to  plenty  of  potatoes 
for  feed,  for  they  feldom  feed  fwine  with 
beans. 

Pork  at  two-pence  and  two-pence  half- 
penny a  pound;  bacon  at  three-pence  half- 
penny a  pound. 
■     Vol.11.  Xx  Veal 


346         A     NEW     SYSTEM 

Veal  in  winter  is  five-pence  and  fix-pence 
a  pound,  but  in  May  and  June  at  two- 
pence. 

There  is  as  good  and  as  bad  veal  in 
Dublin  as  in  any  part  of  the  world.  Calves 
fell  here  from  two  fliilUngs  to  four  pounds 
a  piece. 

All  the  dairies  near  Dublin  fell  their  calves 
as  foon  as  they  drop  for  two  or  three  fliil- 
lings  a  piece,  which  is  a  barbarous  cuftom : 
but  the  county  of  Wicklow  which  chiefly 
fupplies  Dublin  market,  keep  their  calves 
three  or  four  months  old ;  nay,  I  am  told, 
fome  will  keep  them  five  months  old.  In 
fhort,  they  make  very  good  veal,  and  they 
are  alfo  famous  for  early  lambs  in  this 
county,  by  which  Dublin  market  is  fup- 
plied. 

In  Dublin,  a  good  goofe  for  two  fhillings, 
a  good  fowl  for  eight-pence,  rabbets,  are 
dear,  as  there  are  few  warrens  in  the  king- 
dom, the  land  being  too  good  for  them,  Co 
that  there  are  fcarce  any  to  be  got,  except 
tame  rabbets  bred  in  houfes. 

Frelh  butter  in  Dublin  is  high  in  winter, 
eight-pence  and  ten-pence  a  pound,  and  in 
fummer  at  five-pence  and  fix-pence  a  pound. 

Wheat  this  year  from  twenty  to  thirty- 
two  fhillings  a  barrel,  or  four  bufhels  Win- 
chefter  meafure,  in  the  fame  market  the 
fame  day. 

The 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  347 

The  quality  of  wheat  varies  much,  ac- 
cording to  its  cleannefs  or  drynels.  They 
are  very  often  obliged  to  dry  it  on  malt- 
kilns. 

Englifli  wheat  generally  bears  a  higher 
price  than  the  beft  Irilh  by  two  fhillings  the 
barrel  in  the  fame  market. 

They  import  from  England  a  great  deal 
of  malt,  which  is  fuperior  to  the  Irifh  made 
malt  by  three  fhillings  a  barrel.  In  fliort, 
the  Iriih  maltfter  cannot  be  content  with 
moderate  profit,  for  if  he  cannot  profit 
other  ways,  he  will  have  it  in  weight  or 
meafure. 

Formerly  they  ufed  to  fell  by  meafure, 
then  they  grew  it  out  fo  much,  that  it  had 
no  ftrength  in  it;  and  as  they  never  fift  it, 
but  fell  cums  and  all  together,  it  was  fo 
long  one  might  almofl  fill  the  bufliel  with  a 
dung  fork. 

The  legiflator  faw  the  cheat,  fo  made  an 
a<5l  to  fell  by  weight,  and  now  the  extream 
is  full  as  much  the  other  way,  for  they  do 
not  above  half  grow  it,  fo  that  the  thick 
end  of  each  grain  does  not  turn  to  malt, 
but  dries  and  becomes  a  hard  flinty  fub- 
flance,  which  weighs  heavy  in  the  bufliel, 
but  yields  no  fpirit  to  ftrengthen  the  ale. 
Thus  the  publick  are  impofed  upon  by  the 
maltfliers  being  too  avaricious,  and  not  do- 
ing the  fair  thing. 

Malt 


348         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

Malt  fells  at  about  fixteen  fliilUngs  a  bar- 
rel,  or  four  bufliels. 

Oats  being  fo  general  a  crop  in  Ireland, 
bne  might  exped:  them  to  be  very  cheap ; 
but  however,  though  a  great  many  are 
grown,  there  is  alio  a  great  confumption, 
as  all  the  poor  in  general  eat  no  fort  of  bread 
except  that  made  of  oats ;  and  the  time  of 
the  year  when  potatoes  are  out  of  feafon^ 
their  whole  living  is  oat-bread  and  butter-^ 
tnilk ;  but  fo  long  as  potatoes  are  good  they 
fupply  the  place  of  bread;  therefore  oats 
bear  a  better  price  than  could  be  expcdled, 
bemg  fo  general  a  crop. 

t^otatoes  in  the  year  1759,  was  a  failing 
Crop,  which  made-  dats  and  oat-meal  very 
dear. 

Good  oats  fold  this  year  in  the  interior 
J)arts  of  the  kingdom  at  fourteen  and  fifteeil 
ihillings  a  barrel,  which  is  at  the  rate  of 
thu'ty  fhillings  a  quarter.  The  year  after, 
being  a  good  potatoe  year,  I  bought  good 
oats  at  five  lliillings  a  barrel.  This  fhews 
the  great  dependence  there  is  upon  potatoes, 

in  the  year  1769,  good  oats  fold  at  twelve 
fliillings  a  barrel  in  Dublin,  grey  peafe  at 
eighteen  fhillings  a  barrel,  and  a  large  field 
bean  at  twenty  Ihillings  a  barrel. 

The  round  black  magazine  field  bean 
fcarce  any  to  be  got,  being  little  lbv\ed  in 
Ireland.     White  boiling  peale  at  thirty  ihil-^ 

lings 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         349 

lings  a  barrel.  Very  little  rye  is  made  ufe 
of. 

All  forts  of  artificial  grafs  feeds  are  im- 
ported hither  from  England. 

Bricklayers,  mafons,  and  houfe  carpen- 
ters or  joiners,  are  two  fhillings  a  day*, 
Labourers  in  Dublin  a  ihilling  a  day ;  but 
farmers  labourers  in  the  country  round  Dub- 
lin, is  eight-pence  in  winter  without  meat, 
and  a  fhilling  in  fummer. 

In  the  counties  of  Wexford,  Kildare, 
Garlow,  Weflmeath,  and  Queen's  County 
labourers  are  fix-pence  a  day  in  winter, 
and  eight-pence  in  fummer,  without  meat. 
Beef  and  mutton  two-pence  and  two-pence 
half-penny  per  pound  in  the  cheapeft  feafoa 
of  the  year. 

Mofl  cguntry  gentlemen  kill  their  own 
meat,  and  the  country  labourers  and  far- 
mers fddom  eat  any ;  ih  that  the  chief  con- 
fumption  is  by  the  tradefmen  and  fliop- 
keepers  in  market  towns. 

Eggs  and  fowls  are  cheap.  Good  chick- 
ens at  three  half-pence  and  two-pence  a 
piece.  Lean  geefe  at  eight-pence  a  piece, 
lean  turkeys  at  ten-pence  a  piece,  and  a 
roafting  pig  for  a  fliilling  or  fifteen-pence, 
eggs  at  {even  or  eight  a  penny. 

In  the  counties  of  Kilkenny,  Cork,  Ker- 
ry, Tipperary,  Limerick,  Waterford,  Gal- 
way,    Leitrim,    Mayo,    Rofcommon,  Sligo, 

Clare, 


$50        A    NEW    SYSTEM 

Clare,  Londonderry,  Tyrone,  and  Far* 
managh,  being  diftant  from  Dublin,  and 
partly  deflitute  of  trade,  but  fubfifting 
chiefly  by  grazing,  the  living  and  labour 
is  cheap,  and  partly  bears  an  equal  rate  in 
all  thefe  counties. 

Beef  and  mutton  at  the  cheapeft  feafon 
from  three  half-pence  to  two-pence  a  pound, 
lean  geefe  at  four-pence  a  piece,  lean  tur- 
keys at  fix-pence  a  piece,  chickens  at  a 
penny  a  piece,  eggs  at  ten  a  penny,  roaft- 
ing  pigs  at  fix-pence  a  piece,  butter  at 
three- pence  a  pound.  Day  labourers  at 
four-pence  a  day  in  winter,  and  fix-pence 
in  fummer,  no  meat,  plough- wrights  a 
fliilling  a  day  and  meat,  houfe- carpenters 
or  joiners  two  fliillings  a  day,  no  meat,  ma- 
fons  two  {hillings  a  day,  no  meat. 

The  reader  is  to  take  notice,  that  in 
fpeaking  of  labourers,  I  fpeak  in. general 
terms,  fuch  as  are  employed  by  gentlemen 
and  farmers  all  the  year  round;  but  in 
market  and  great  towns,  at  times,  par- 
ticularly in  March  and  April,  when  the 
fhop-keepers  and  tradefmen  are  fetting  their 
potatoes,  labourers  are  perhaps  fix-pence  or 
eight-pence  a  day  and  meat.  However  this 
is  a  matter  of  little  confequence  in  the 
farming  way,  but  I  thought  proper  to 
take  notice  of  it,  left  fome  unthinking 
readers,  not   making  proper  allowances  for 

thefe 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  351 

thcfe  things,    might  think  my  account  er- 
roneous. 

Corn  is  at  a  more  equal  price,  fince  a 
bounty  was  given  by  the  government  for 
land  carriage,  fo  that  there  is  not  above  four 
or  five  per  cent,  difference  between  the  coun- 
try and  DubHn  prices ;  and  when  a  mifs 
year  in  the  potatoe  crop  happens,  DubHn 
is  the  loweft  market,  they  being  obhged  to 
fend  corn  apd  meal  into  the  country  to  fup- 
ply  the  deficiency  of  potatoes. 

The  counties  of  Down,  Louth,  Donegal, 
and  Armagh,  being  manufacfluring  coun- 
tries, labour  and  victuals  bear  a  higher 
price  than  in  the  grazing  countries.  Beef 
and  mutton  at  two-pence  half- penny  and 
three-pence  a  pound,  geefe  at  eight-pence  a 
piece  lean,  turkeys  at  ten-pence  or  a  fhilling 
a  piece,  chickens  at  two-pence  or  three- 
pence a  piece,  pork  two-pence  a  pound,  a 
roafting  pig  a  fhilling,  oat-meal  at  fixteen 
pence  a  peck,  baft  wheat  at  twenty-eight 
Ihillings  a  barrel,  malt  fourteen  fliillings  a 
barrel. 

Labourers  at  fix-pence  a  day  in  winter, 
without  meat,  and  eight-pence  in  fum- 
mer,  without  meat;  houfe-carpenters  two 
i3iillings  a  day,  and  mafons  two  fhillings 
a  day. 

A  farmer's  man  fervant  fix  pounds  a 
year,    a  llrong  boy  three  pounds  a  year,  a 

woman 


352         A    NEW     SYSTEM 

woman  fervant  three  pounds  a  year,  a  lufty 
girl  thirty  (hillings  a  year. 

There  is  little  difference  in  the  "wages  of 
yearly  fervants  in  any  part  of  the  king- 
dom. 

The  gentlemen  of  Ireland  give  good  en- 
couragement to  Englifh  fervants  and  Rew- 
ards, with  good  charadlers. 

Ireland  is  two  hundred  and  feventy-five 
miles  long,  one  hundred  and.  fifty  nine 
miles  wide,  and  fourteen  hundred  miles  in 
circumference. 

Their  land  and  mile  meafure  is  by  feven 
yards  to  the  perch. 

Their  weight  and  meafure  are  all  Win- 
chefter. 


CHAP.    LXIII. 

Some  approved  Receipts  in  Phyfic^  and  Surge'- 
ry^  by  the  moji  able  Men  of  th^  Faculty  in 
England. 

AS  I  have  faid  every  thing  that  is  ne- 
ceflary  in  Hufbandry;  and  as  this 
work  may  fall  into  many  hands  who  live 
in  the  country,  at  a  diftance  from  help  in 
time  of  ficknefs,  &q,     J  thought,   it  might 

not 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         353 

not  be  airjirs  to  give  a  few  chofen  receipts, 
for  the  cure  of  diforders  xao(\.  common  to 
the  human  body. 

It  is  common  in  books  of  Phyfic  to  add 
feveral  receipts,  for  the  cure  of  one  difofder; 
but  as  I  do  not  place  this  book  among  that 
denomination,  I  fliall  in  general,  put  one 
receipt  for  one  diforder,  and  fuch  as  has  been 
tried,  given,  qr  approved  on,  by  the  mpft 
able  men  of  the  faculty  in  pngland^ 

To  Jlay  luoofinefs, 

TAKE  a  yery  good  nutmeg,  prick  it  full 
of  holes,  toaft  and  grate  it,  then  boil 
it  well  in  milk,  and  eat  it  in  a  morning; 
pr  the  nutmeg  toafted  and  grated  in  a  glals 
of  red  port,  will  dp  full  as  well  and  fejdom 
mifles  of  a  cure. 

To  take  out  the  Fi?'e^  of  a  Burn  or  Scaid, 

Scrape  a  raw  potatoeandapply  ittoaburn 
pr  fcald,  as  a  poultice,  when  it  is  dry  apply 
another  till  the  fmarting  has  done;  there  is 
nothing  fo  quick  and  fure  as  this.  The  fore 
may  be  healed  with  yellow  balilicon,  or  by 
nothing  but  dry  lint  laid  on  the  place  cover- 
ed with  a  linen  rag  burned  brown  and  laid 
over  it,  if  very  bad  it  may  be  waflied  with 
allum  whey ;  but  the  operation  of  the  potatoe 
poultice  is  fo  eifedtual  that  it  feldom  breaks 
the  fkin. 

Vol.11.  Yv  To 


354        A    NEW     SYSTEM 

To  Cure  a  Cough  inclining  to  a  Conjumption, 

Take  balfam  of  fulphur  one  ounce,  and 
oil  of  anifeeds  one  ounce,  mix  them  toge- 
ther and  take  a  tea  fpoonful  every  morning, 
and  evening  the  firfl  and  laft  thing,  this 
has  recovered  thofe  when  in  a  confumption. 

For  the  Gripes, 

Take  a  glafs  of  fack  warm'd,  and  dijQblve 
in  it  as  much  Venice-Treacle^  or  Diafcordiuniy 
as  a  hazehiut;  drink  it  off  going  to  bed; 
cover  warm. 

For  the  Stranguary. 

Take  half  a  pint  of  plantane-water,  one 
ounce  of  white  fugar-candy  finely  powder'd, 
two  fpoonfuls  of  lallad-oil,  and  the  juice  of 
a  lemon ;  beat  all  thefe  together  very  well, 
and  tirink  it  off. 

For  a  Draught  in  a  Fever, 

Take  of  fal- prunella  one  ounce,  and  dif- 
folve  it  in  fpring-water,  and  put  as  much 
fugar  to  it  as  will  fweeten  it ;  fimmer  it  over 
the  fire  till  'tis  a  fyrup ;  and  put  fome  into 
poffet-drink,  and  take  it  two  or  three  times 
a  day,  or  when  very  thirfty. 

• 
A  Plajler  for  an  Agud 

Take  right  F^fw/V^-turpentine,  and  mix 
with  it  the  powder  of  white  hellebore-roots, 

till 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  355 

till  'tis  ftiff  enough  to  fpread  on  leather. 
It  muft  be  laid  all  over  the  wrift,  and  over 
the  ball  of  the  thumb,  fix  hours  before  the 
fit  comes. 

For  a  Chin-Cough. 

Take  a  fpoonful  of  wood-lice^  and  bruife 
'em,  and  mix  them  with  breafl-milk,  and 
take  them  three  or  four  mornings,  accord- 
ing as  you  find  benefit.  It  will  cure ;  but 
fomc  muft  take  it  longer  than  others. 

To  take  off  Blacknefs  by  a  Fall. 

Rub  it  well  with  a  cold  tallow  candle, 
as  foon  as  'tis  bruifcdj  and  this  will  take 
off  the  blacknefs. 

To  break  a  Boil. 

Take  the  yolk  of  a  new-laid  eg:g,  fome 
honey  and  wheat  flower;  and  mix  it  well 
together,  and  fpread  it  on  a  rag,  and  lay  it 
on  cold. 

A  Poultice  for  a  hard  Snvelling. 

Boil  the  fineft  wheat-flour  in  cream  till 
'tis  pretty  thick ;  then  take  it  off*,  and  put  in 
mallows  chopt;  ftir  it,  and  apply  it  as  hot 
as  can  be  endured ;  drefs  it  twice  a  day,  and 
make  frefli  every  time. 

To 


356         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

To  Jlay  Voiniting, 

Take  afli-leives,  and  boil  them  in  viiie- 
gar  and  water,  and  apply  them  hot  to  the 
Itomach ;  do  this  often^  and  put  the  hands 
in  cold  water. 

A  Poultice  for  afore  Bi-eafly  Leg^  or  Arm. 

Boil  wheat-flour  in  ftrong-ale  very  well, 
and  pretty  thick ;  then  take  it  off,  and  fcrapd 
in  fome  boars-greafe ;  let  it  hot  boil  aftei* 
the  greafe  is  in ;  ftir  it  well,  and  apply  it 
hot. 

For  /pitting  Blood, 

Take  of  cinnabar  of  antimony  one  ounces, 
and  mix  it  with  two  ounces  of  confer  ve  of 
red  rofes ;  and  take  as  much  as  a  nutmeg  at 
night  and  morning. 

To  cure  the  Tooth-ach. 

Let  the  party  that  is  troubled  with  the 
tooth-ach  lie  on  the  contrary  fide,  and  drop 
three  drops  of  the  juice  of  rue  into  the  ear 
on  that  fide  the  tooth  acheth,  and  let  it  re- 
inain  an  hour  or  two,  and  it  will  remove  the 
pain ;  if  a  needle  is  run  through  a  wood- 
loufe,  and  immediately  touch  the  aching 
tooth  with  that  needle,  it  will  ceafe  to  ach: 
fometimes  tooth-ach  proceeds  from  a  cold, 
fo  that  the  air  gets  between  the  gums  and 

the 


Ot    MtrSBANbRY.         35? 

ike  te^th,  and  raifeS  theiii  but  of  the  fockefj 
■v?hich  caufes  a  very  great  pain  tho'  the  teeth 
be  all  found,  the  cure  in  this  cafe  is  to  prefs 
a  cork  very  hard  betw^een  the  teeth  a  conii- 
derable  time  to  prefs  them  down  even,  and 
rub  the  gums  v^ith  gun-powder  till  they 
bleed. 

An  excelkni  Medicine  for  Shortnefi  of  Breathe 

Take  half  an  ounce  of  flour  of  brimftone^ 
a  quarter  of  an  ounce  of  beaten  ginger,  and 
three  quarters  of  an  ounce  of  beaten  fena, 
and  mix  all  together  in  four  ounces  of  ho- 
ney; take  the  bignefs  of  a  nutrtieg  night 
and  morning  for  five  days  together;  then 
once  a  week  for  fome  time;  then  once  a 
fortnight. 

To  ct&e  a   piinpltd    Face^    and  fixjeelen  tht 
Blood, 

Take  fena  one  ounce,  put  it  in  a  finall 
none  pot,  and  pour  a  quart  or  more  of  boil- 
ing water  on  it;  theta  put  as  many  prunes 
as  you  can  get  in;  cover  with  paper,  and 
fet  in  the  oven  with  houfhold-bread ;  and 
take  of  this  every  day,  one,  two,  three,  or 
m.ore  of  the  prunes  and  liquor,  according 
:^s  it  operates ;  continue  this  always,  or  at 
ieaft  half  a  year; 


358  A    NEW    SYSTEM 

To  cure  the  Dropjy^  Rheujfiatifm^  Scurvy^  and 
Cough  of  the  Lungs. 

Take  EngUp  orris-roots,  fquills,  ahd  ele- 
campane-roots, each  one  ounce,  hyfTop  and 
hore-hound-leaves,  each  one  handful,  the 
innet*  rind  of  green  elder  and  dwarf-elder, 
of  each  one  handful,  fena  one  ounce  and 
half,  agarick  two  drams,  ginger  one  dram ; 
cut  the  roots  thin,  and  bruife  the  leaves, 
and  put  them  into  two  quarts  of  the  beft 
Lisbon  wine ;  let  thefe  boil  an  hour  and  half 
on  a  gentle  fire  in  an  earthen  mug,  very 
clofe  ftopt  with  a  cork,  and  ty'd  down  with 
a  bladder,  that  no  air  come  to  it,  and  fo  fet 
it  in  a  large  pot  of  boiling  water ;  fet  it  fo 
that  no  water  get  into  the  mug,  which  mufl 
hold  three  quarts,  that  all  the  ingredients 
may  have  room  to  go  in ;  when  it  is  almofl: 
cold,  ftrain  it  out  very  hard;  you  muft 
fcrape  the  elder  downwards;  take  this  for 
a  week  together  if  you  can,  and  then  mifs 
a  day ;  and  if  that  does  not  do,  go  on  with 
your  other  bottle  of  the  fame ;  take  it  in  a 
morning  falling,  ten  fpoonfuls  at  a  time, 
without  any  pollet-drink ;  it  will  both  vomit 
and  purge  you;  it  is  an  unpleafant  tafte, 
therefore  take  a  lump  of  fugar  after  it; 
■when  it  is  quite  cold,  after  it  is  flrain'd  •if, 
let  it  ftand  in  a  flagon  to  fettle  a  night  and  a 
day,  then  bottle  it  up  clear  and  fine  for  ufe: 
it  is  an  admirable  medicine. 

To 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         359 

To  cure  a  Cancer, 

Take  a  dram  of  the  powder  of  crabs-claws 
finely  fearced,  and  made  into  pafte  with  da- 
mafli-rofe-water,  and  dry'd  in  pellets  of  lo- 
zenges; powder  the  lozenges  as  you  ufe 
them,  and  drink  the  powder  in  whey  every 
morning  falling:  if  there  be  a  fore,  and  ic 
is  raw,  anoint  it  with  a  falve  made  of  dock- 
roots  and  frefh  butter ;  make  a  featon  or  ilTue 
in  the  neck,  keep  a  low  diet ;  keep  from  any 
thing  that  is  fait,  four,  or  ftrong. 

To  cure  the  Joint-E'uiL 

Take  good  (lore  of  elder-leaves,  and  di- 
ftil  them  in  a  cold  ftill ;  let  the  perfon  drink 
every  morning  and  evening  half  a  pint  of 
this  water,  and  walli  the  fores  with  it  morn- 
ing and  evening,  firfl  warming  it  a  little, 
and  lay  frefh  elder-leaves  on  the  fores,  and 
in  a  little  time  you  will  find  they  will  dry 
up,  but  be  fure  to  follow  it  exa61:ly ;  it  has 
cured  when  all  other  remedies  have  failed., 

For  the  Green- Sic kne/s. 

Take  centaury  the  lefs,  and  wormwood 
and  rofemary-flowers,  of  each  a  handful, 
gentian-root  a  dram,  coriander-feeds  two 
drams;  boil  thefe  in  a  quart  of  water,  fweet- 
en  it  with  lyrup  of  fleel,  and  take  four  or 
five  fpoonfuls  in  the  morning,  and  as  much 
in  the  afternoon.  To 


56o        A    NEW     SYSTEM 

To  take  off  Freckles, 

Take  bean-flower- water,  or  elder-flowcrr 
water,  or  May  dew  gather'd  from  corn^  of 
either  the  quantity  of  four  fpoonfuls,  ai^d 
add  to  it  one  fpoonful  of  oil  of  tartar  very 
jiew  drawn ;  mix  it  well  together,  and  pftei} 
y^alli  the  face  with  it;  let  it  dry  pn. 

A  Salve  for  a  Sprain. 

Take  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  virgin-wax, 
a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  fr^nkincenfe,  half 
fi  ponnd  of  burgamy-pitch ;  melt  them  well 
together,  flirring  them  all  the  while  till  they 
are  malted;  then  give  them  a  good  boil,  and 
ftrain  them  into  water;  work  it  well  into 
rolls,    and  keep^t  for  ule;    the  more  it  i^ 


'Mk 


work'd,  the  bett^lp  is  ;  fpread  it  on  leather. 

To  take  out  Spots  of  the  Small-Pqx, 

Take  half  an  ounce  of  oil  of  tartar,  and 
as  much  oil  of  bitter  almonds  ;  mix  it  toge- 
ther, and  with  a  fine  rag  daub  it  often  oa 
the  face  and  hands,  before  the  air  has  pene- 
trated into  the  fkin  or  flefli. 

A  Receipt  that  curd  a  Gentleman  ivho  had  (^ 
long  time  jpit  Blood  in  a  great  ^jmntity^ 
and  ivas  iva/icd  ivith  a  Coiifumption. 

Take  of  hylTop-water,    and  of  the  pureft 
honey,    of  each  a  pmt;    of  agrimony  and 

colt^- 


OF    HUSBANDRY.       361- 

coltsfoot,  of  each  a  handful ;  a  fprlg  of  rue, 
brown  fugarcandy,  liquorice  flic'd,  fliavings 
of  harts-horn,  of  each  two  ounces;  anifeeds 
bruifed  one  ounce,  of  figs  fliced,  and  raifins 
of  the  fun  ftoned,  of  each  four  ounces :  put 
them  all  into  a  pipkin  with  a  gallon  of  wa- 
ter, and  boil  it  gently  over  a  moderate  fire 
till  half  is  confumed;  then  fi:rain  it,  and 
when  it  is  cold,  put  it  into  bottles,  being, 
clofe  ftopt :  take  four  or  five  fpoonfuls  every 
morning,  at  four  in  the  afternoon,  and  at 
night,  the  laft  thing:  if  you  add  frefh  water 
to  the  ingredients,  after  the  firft  liquor  is 
flrain'd  off,  you  will  htlve  a  pleafant  drink, 
to  be  ufed  at  any  time  when  you  are  dry. 

An  infallible  Cure  for  the  s^^hping  Confump^ 

tion,  ^^f 

Take  half  a  pound  of  raifins  of  the  fun 
ftoned,  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  figs,  a  quar- 
ter of  a  pound  of  honey,  half  an  ounce  of 
Lucatellu's  balfam,  half  an  ounce  of  pow- 
der of  ileel,  half  an  ounce  of  flour  of  ele- 
campane, a  grated  nutmeg,  one  pound  of 
double  refin'd  fugar  pounded ;  flired,  and 
pound  all  thefe  in  a  mortar ;  pour  into  it  a 
pint  of  fallet-oil  by  degrees ;  eat  a  bit  of  it 
four  times  a  day  the  bignefs  of  a  nutmeg ; 
every  morning  drink  a  glafs  of  old  Malaga 
fack,  with  the  yolk  of  a  new-laid  cg^^  and 
as  much  flour  of  brimftone  as  will  lie  upon 
.    Vol.  11.  Z  z  a  fix- 


362        A    NEW    SYSTEM 

a  fix-pence ;  the  next  morning  as  much  flour 
of  elecampane,  alternately ;  and  if  this  will 
not  cure  you,  the  Lord  have  mercy  upon 
you. 

For  the  Scurvy,  ^ 

Take  a  pound  of  guaiacum-bark,  and  half 
a  pound  of  faflafras,  and  a  quarter  of  a 
^  pound  of  liquorice ;  boil  all  thefe  in  three 
quarts  of  water,  till  it  comes  to  three  pints; 
and  when  it  is  cold,  put  it  in  a  vefFel  with 
two  gallons  of  ale :  in  three  or  four  days  ie 
is  fit  to  drink,  and  drink  no  other  drink  for 
fix  or  twelve  months,  according  to  the  vio- 
lence of  the  diflemper;  it  will  certainly 
cure. 

For  Corns  on  the  Feet, 

Take  the  yeft  of  beer,  (not  of  ale)  and 
rpread  it  on  a  linen  rag,  and  apply  it  to  the 
part  aflfeiSted ;  renew  it  once  a  day  for  three 
or  four  weeks ;  it  will  cure. 

For  Chi/blanes,  ivhen  broke, 

Roaft  a  turnip  foft,  beat  it  to  mafh,  and 
apply  it  as  hot  as  can  be  endur'd  to  the  part 
affeded ;  let  it  lie  on  two  or  three  days,  and 
repeat  it  two  or  three  times. 


For 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  363 

For  a  Cough  fettled  on  the  Stomach, 

Take  half  a  pound  of  figs  fliced,  raifins 
of  the  fun  ftoned  as  nnany,  and  a  (lick  of 
liquorice  fcraped  and  fliced,  a  few  anifeeds, 
and  fome  hyfTop  wafli'd  clean  j  put  all  thefe 
in  a  quart  of  fpring-water,  boil  it  till  it 
comes  to  a  pint ;  then  flrain  it,  and  fweeten 
it  with  white  fugar-candy :  take  two  or  three 
fpoonfuls  morning  and  night,  and  when  the 
cough  troubles  you. 

To  give  Eafe  in  a  violent  Fit  oj  the  Stone. 

Take  a  quart  of  milk,  and  two  handfuls 
of  dry'd  fage,  a  pennyworth  of  hemp  feed, 
one  ounce  of  white  fugar-candy,  and  one 
ounce  burdock  feeds :  Boil  all  thefe  together 
a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  then  put  in  half 
a  pint  of  rhenifti-wine.  When  the  curd  is 
taken  off,  with  the  ingredient,  put  it  in  a 
bag,  and  apply  it  to  the  grieved  part;  and 
of  the  liquor  drink  a  good  glafs-full.  Let 
both  be  as  hot  as  can  be  endured.  If  there 
is  not  eafe  the  firft  time,  warm  it  again, 
and  ufe  it.     It  feldom  fails. 

For  the  Strangury, 

Take  three  fpoonfuls  of  the  juice  of  cha- 
momile in  a  fmall  glafs  of  white-wine, 
thrice  a  day,  for  three  days  together. 

To 


364        A    NEW     SYSTEM 

To  procure  eafy  Labour. 

Take  half  a  pound  of  figs,  half  a  pound 
of  raifins  of  the  fun  fton'd,  four  ouncts  of 
liquorice  fcrap'd  and  flic'd ;  one  fpoonful  of 
anifeeds  bruifed ;  boil  all  thefe  in  two  quarts 
of  fpring-water,  till  one  pint  is  wafled; 
then  drain  it  out,  and  drink  a  quarter  of  a 
pint  of  it  morning  and  evening  fix  weeks 
before  the  time. 

To  procure  fpeedy  Delivery  ivhen  the  Throivs 
are  gone. 

Take  half  a  dram  of  borax  powder'd, 
and  mix'd  with  a  glafs  of  white-wine,  fome 
fugar,  and  a  little  cinnamon-water:  if  it  does 
no  good  the  firft  time,  try  it  again  two  hours 
after,  fo  likewife  the  third  time. 

To  bring  the  AJter-Blrth, 

Give  30  or  2,^  drops  of  oil  of  juniper  in 
a  good  glafs  of  fack» 

To  prevent  After^Pains. 

Take  half  an  ounce  of  large  nutmegs, 
and  toaft  them  before  the  fire,  and  one 
ounce  of  the  beft  cinnamon,  and  beat  them 
together;  then  mix  it  with  the  whites  of 
two  eggs,  beating  it  together  in  a  porringer; 
and  take  every  morning  in  bed  as  much  as 

will 


OF    HUSBANDRY.  365 

•will  lie  on  the  point  of  a  knife,  and  foat 
night  J    and    drink    after    it    the  following 
caudle : 

Take  a  quarter  of  a  pint  of  Alicant  wine 
or  tent,  a  quarter  of  a  pint  of  red  rofe-wa- 
ter,  and  a  quarter  of  a  pint  of  plantain- 
water;  mingle  all  three  together,  and  beat 
three  new-laid  eggs,  yolks  and  whites,  and 
make  a  caudle  of  them;  put  into  it  two 
ounces  of  double-refin'd  fugar,  a  quarter  of 
an  ounce  of  cinnamon;  you  mull  boil  the 
cinnamon  in  the  wine  and  water  before  the 
eggs  are  in;  and  after  all  is  mixed,  put  to 
it  half  a  dram  of  the  powder  of  knot-grafs ; 
take  of  this  fix  fpoonfuls  morning  and  even- 
ing after  the  electuary. 

To  Jlop  Floodings, 

Take  the  white  of  an  egg,  and  beat  it 
well  with  four  or  five  fpoonfuls  of  red  rofe- 
water,  and  drink  it  dW  morning  and  night 
nine  mornings  together;  it  has  cured  when 
all  other  things  have  failed. 

Let  the  party  often  take  ifing-glafs  boiled 
or  dilTolved  in  warm  new  milk,  a  pint  at  a 
time. 

A  Piajler  for  a  Weaknefs  in  the  Back. 

Take  plantain,  comfry,  knot-grafs,  fhep- 
herd's-purfe,  of  each   one   handful;    ftamp 

them 


366         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

them  fmall,  and  boil  them  in  a  pound  of  oil 
of  rofes,  and  a  little  vinegar ;  when  'tis  well 
boiled,  drain  it,  and  fet  it  on  the  fire  again, 
and  put  to  it  four  ounces  of  wax,  one  ounce 
of  chalk,  bole-armoniac  one  ounce,  and  ter- 
ja-figillata  one  ounce ;  boil  all  well,  keepiivg 
it  ftill  ftirring ;  then  cool  it,  and  make  it  in- 
to rolls,  and  keep  it  for  ufe;  fpread  it  on 
leather  when  you  lay  it  to  the  back. 

A  Drink  for  the   fame. 

Take  four  roots  of  comfry,  and  of  knot- 
grafs  and  clary  one  handful,  a  fprig  of  rofe- 
mary,  a  little  galengal,  a  good  quantity  of 
cinnamon  and  nutmeg  fliced,  the  pith  of  the 
chine  of  an  ox.  Stamp  and  boil  all  thefe  in 
a  quart  of  mufcadine,  then  drain  it,  and 
put  in  fix  yolks  of  eggs ;  fweetcn  the  caudle 
to  your  tafte  with  double  refin'd  fugar,  and 
drink  a  good  draught  morning  and  evening. 
Take  of  crocus  m arris,  and  conferve  of  red 
rofes  mixed  together,  three  or  four  times  a 
day. 

For  the  Dyfentery  or  Bloody-Flux, 

Take  an  iron  ladle;    anoint  it  with  fine 
wax;    put  into  it  glafs  of   antimony,    what 
you   pleafe;    fet  it  on  a  flow  fire,    without 
flame,    half  an  hour,  ftill  ftirring  it  with  a  ' 
fpatula;    then  pour  it  out  on  a  clean  linen 

cloth, 


OF    HUSBANDRY.         367 

cloth,  and  rub  ofF  all  the  wax.     Grind  it  to 
powder. 

This  is  the  receipt  as  I  got  it ;  but  I  kept 
it  three  quarters  of  an  hour  on  the  fire,  and 
coiled  not  rub  off  any  wax.  The  dofe  for  a 
boy  of  7  or  8  years,  3  grains ;  for  a  weak 
adult,  5  grains ;  for  a  ftrong  woman,  1 2  or 
14  grains;  for  a  very  ftrong  man,  18  or  20 
grains. 

N.  B.  I  never  gave  above  14  grains,  and 
in  the  making  of  it  put  about  a  dram  of  wax 
to  an  ounce  of  the  glafs.  It  fometimes  vo- 
mits, always  purges,  and  feldom  fails  of 
fuccefs.  I  always  intermit  one  day  at  leaft 
betwixt  every  dofe, 

A  good  Purge. 

Infufe  an  ounce  of  fena  in  a  pint  of  wa- 
ter, till  half  be  confumed ;  when  'tis  cold, 
add  to  it  one  ounce  of  fyrup  of  rofes,  and 
one  ounce  of  fyrup  of  buckthorn ;  mix  chem 
well  together-  this  quantity  makes  two 
ftrong  purges  for  either  man  or  woman,  and 
four  for  a  child. 

For  the  Green-Jicknefs, 

Take  an  ounce  of  the  filings  of  fteel,  or 
nifty  iron  beaten  to  powder,  and  mix  it 
with  two  ounces  of  the  flour  of  brimftone ; 
then  mix  it  up  into  an  eleduary  with  treacle; 

the 


368         A    NEW    SYSTEM 

the  party  mufl  take  the  quantity  of  a  nut- 
meg in  the  morning  fading,  and  at  four  in 
the  afternoon,  and  continue  it  till  cured. 

For  Cojlivenefs. 

Take  virgin-honey  a  quarter  of  a  pound, 
and  mix  it  with  as  much  cream  of  tartar  as 
will  bring  it  to  a  pretty  thick  elecfluary,  of 
which  take  the  bignefs  of  a  walnut  when  you 
pleafe ;  and  for  }  our  breakfaft,  eat  water- 
gruel  with  common  mallows  boil'd  in  it, 
and  a  good  piece  of  butter;  the  mallows 
muft  be  chopt  fmall,  and  eaten  with  the 
gruel. 

For  the  Hiccup, 

Take  three  or  four  prelerv'd  damfins  in 
your  mouth  at  a  time,  and  fwallow  them  by 
degrees. 

For  the  Cramp. 
Take  of  rofemaiy-icciv..^,  and  chop  thrni 
very  fmall,  and  few  them  in  fine  linen,  and 
make  them  into  garters,  tie  the  garters  tight 
below  the  knee,  and  wear  them  night  and 
day ;  lay  a  down  pillow  on  your  legs  in  the 
night. 


N         I        S. 


M  fL  State  Colleftt 


UBRARY. 

Didtkm  of  Horticulture, 


^- 


